Vietnam - G.I. Refrain Poem by Darwin Henry Beuning
Vietnam - G.I. Refrain
Ah yes, Vietnam
Remember it well
Just eighteen
Not more than a lad
Like the rest
Serving my country
Counting my days
Ah yes, remembering
The ladies of the night
And the 'GI Refrain'
Known far and wide
'I love you too much''
'What's your name? '
Rows of bars
Nameless streets
Just ships
Passing in the night
Body counts
Taking ears
American bodies burn so bright
Plenty of booze
Drown the pain
I just want to hear
That 'GI Refrain'
'I love you too much',
'What's your name? '
Kim, yes I am sure it is. One of my quotations says it all, Part of me died in Vietnam, part of me never came back. The part of me called Innocence. Looking forward to returning to Utah.
A three in the morning poem when we aren't too good at contriving or working through and the words just tell their truth about the times and the writer. Good on you Hank
well, i like the poem. i left a longer comment which the author decided was too 'gross', in part, (for some readers) because i mentioned some of the brutal realities of wars. i thank Henry for telling me of his decision. so some of you readers have been spared my 'gross' details of some past wars. now, just think about all the men and women who have NOT been spared those realities and don't always live [or at least 'live comfortably'] with the memories because the memories are too terrible for them. : ( boredom is sometimes a downside of war, but it is far better than some of the other things! bri :)
But I don't see a way to hear what you once recorded, your poem in your own voice. Perhaps it is another feature of the 'old' PH which did not survive PH's restructuring in Dec. of 2020. : ( bri
Ok, i read ALL of the few comments shown below and i recommend them to future readers.
I NOW SEE I LEFT TWO PREVIOUS COMMENTS. SEE COMMENT below from 2019. And i LIKE your reply to the comment from Dennis. bri ;)
Yes, having grown up 'during' the 'Vietnam Conflict'/War, and having read several books dealing with the subject, I'm familiar with 'body counts' and 'counting ears'.
'I love you too much' is some of lyrics of a song. I like the poem and will probably use it in a showcase soon. bri ;)
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Delivering Poems Around The World
Poems are the property of their respective owners. All information has been reproduced here for educational and informational purposes to benefit site visitors, and is provided at no charge...
5/5/2024 3:38:24 AM # 1.0.0.1119
Hank, I think this is the darkest, saddest poem you have written yet. The heat and humidity really are getting to you over there, aren't they? Thank goodness you will be coming back to the States soon! No humidity here in Utah! Seventy-five degrees and sunny today. A few clouds and light breezes.