Dennis Spilchuk Poet Verse

Notes About The Poem

Suribachi

Suribachi

At the base of Suribachi,
Within reach of the beach,
The mountain towers as I shrink
Into guts of hate—malignant,
With a rifle and bayonet and grenades
And murdering hands
To choke the existence
Out of living things.

They all looked the same to me,
Refusing to quit—
Hating more than me, 
If that’s possible to believe.
I loathed the air to breathe.
My lips spewed spit.
I swore I would survive,
Executing orders efficiently.

I question humanity and my sanity.
Victory over Japan (V-J Day),
And I feel weak on my feet—unsteady.
On that day when we attacked Iwo Jima,
I felt strong—brave.
So why do I return?
The memories are unpleasant,
My conscience unmanageable,
And my soul unreprieved.

The flag appears smaller
And the mountain lower
On this waterless sulfur island
In the middle of nowhere;
And the beach desolate,
With no one running for cover.
My heart died on Iwo Jima,
And my body lives to tell the story.
                      ***

Notes:
1 Battle of Iwo Jima: The ”Battle of Iwo Jima” took place between the combined American forces of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and the United States Navy (USN) against the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) during World War II (1939–1945) from February 19, 1945, to March 26, 1945. The Americans were victorious (V-J Day: Victory over Japan).
2 Casualties: U.S.A. 6,821 dead, 19,217 wounded; Japanese 17,845 to 18,375 dead and/or missing, 216 taken prisoner and 3,000 in hiding.
3 The memorial is to the flag-raising during the Battle of Iwo Jima on top of Mount Suribachi. It reads:
   "Among the Americans who served on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue."—Nimitz.
   Dedicated to those who fought here by the Island Command AGF. Erected by the 31st USNCB. Old Glory was raised on this site 23 February 1945 by members of the Second Battalion, 28th Regiment, Fifth Marine Division.

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