Did anyone see Bill Moyers Journal: Poetry and War?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

He interviews Maxine Hong Kingston, a poet who has compiled works of vets and their families in a book called "Veterans of War, Veterans of Peace". I found the interview and the selections that were read deeply moving..so beautifully appropriate for Memorial Day. Here's an excerpt:

Mrs. Martinez
by Sandy Scull

Dear Mrs. Martinez, regret to inform you
that your son PFC . . . First name forgotten,
yet his safety entrusted to me.
He was a good Marine. Sorry about your loss.

Though just past eighteen, he looked
haggard. Last week even ghostlike blue,
like some part of him already knew.
Wanted to finish high school and marry
the Houston girl. Carried a decayed photo
showing her pimples and bouffant hair.

Died when a sandbagged roof fell
under nine inches of rain. An engineering stake
pinned across his throat, eyes bulging.
No blood. Dubbed non-hostile casualty.
Us Marines don't know bunker building,
better at digging foxholes and latrines.

He had been drinking hot cocoa. I found his canteen cup.
And some C-4 explosive we burned for a quick boil.
It was during Monsoon rain. The other sentry
grabbing sandbags off in vain.

Maybe he was daydreaming of home,
sitting in your kitchen. Numb sentiment.
Whatever she wanted, I was unable . . .
Top Sergeant said, Use the files, LT.
And keep it brief. Fall back on a form letter,
don't need more grief.

[me b zola]

1. I saw it and thought it and was deeply moved

Hong-Kingston is also a(n origional?) member of Code Pink. The work that she is doing is exceptional. She spoke with such grace and wisdom, understanding the ebb & flow of life.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

4. She's such an inspiration...

The way she's able to work with people and help them deal with all they've seen and done...and not done...without judging them. She's a healing person.

[Hekate]

2. It was exceptional. Both Moyers and Hong-Kingston deepen with age.

Thanks for the post.

Hekate

[GoddessOfGuinness]

5. Nobody interviews like Moyers.

Sometimes I think I'd like him to run for president. But then I'd miss his interviews!

[HowHasItComeToThis]

3. POWERFUL AND A MUST SEE

ACTUALLY MY WIFE AND I KNOW MAXINE, SHE IS A NATIONAL TREASURE.

:bounce: :bounce:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

6. I'd like to meet her.

I don't know that I'd even want to talk with her. I get the feeling from the interview that just being near her is like a poem.