Notes About The Poem

Peter Paul and Mary's song "Where have all the flowers gone" inspired this poem. 

Where Have All the Flowers Gone

The Vietnam War came immediately into my mind
And how sad it was, because so many young men died
They were innocent, many between eighteen and twenty
The rest of us lost our innocence too as they were returned
in flag-draped coffins.

I was a teenager when I became aware of the Vietnam War
My boyfriend had to sign up for the draft; there was no choice
Unless you had a congressman or a senator in your family.
It was a sad time.  Folk music was slow and dreamy.
We were talking about flower power, wearing bell bottoms.

The hippies developed as a protest against the establishment.
We were singing folk songs that reflected our sadness.
Where have all the flowers gone to me represented our innocence.
We were never innocent again after the Viet Nam War.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Brul Avatar
April 2, 2022 at 9:31 AM
Loved that song! And this poem gives that song a new dimension.
Krutsinger Avatar
April 2, 2022 at 11:44 PM
Thank you JCB I appreciate your appreciation.
Hankins Avatar
April 2, 2022 at 8:43 AM
Ah, so true. I loved that song, but it always brings back sad memories. We lost so many young men and women in the flower of their youth. Love this poem, Caren. A FAVE for me.
Krutsinger Avatar
April 2, 2022 at 11:44 PM
Thank you Hank. I love it but it makes me sad too.
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