'Puff' - Vietnam War Song Poem by Darwin Henry Beuning

Believe me, you are not alone.

Picture added 9: 17pm,13 July 2017. Picture is from website: Deviant Art. Picture titled: Burning Monk by artist AstiStults.

Peter, Paul and Mary were one of the groups of the sixties and 'Puff the Magic Dragon' stood out and endures. What a tragic context for the Buddhist monk who committed suicide. I like the the last two lines-religious.

i want to put this into my/our March 2017 showcase for PH poets. i usually take and run (my new favorite form of acquiring poems for the display) , but this time i'll ask: May I take it? as coincidence would have it, i just attended a two-person concert 25 miles north of here a few days ago with my mate. she bought a ticket (college concert series) without even knowing who was performing. i found out the day of the concert (we bought a ticket for me when we got there) , by Googling the two names, that they were to be singers/guitarists Peter and Paul (Noel) of Peter, Paul, and Mary fame, still together over 50 years after they were already famous. Mary is dead. ===================================================== many had blood on their hands. on both sides. the same is true today. what are we going to do about it? what CAN be done to stop it? ? not a lot sometimes. maybe father can help. or does blood turn him on? =============================================== i was a conscientious objector (to all war) when i was in my 20's. i did two years of civilian hospital work in Rochester New York in lieu of military service. my younger brother was in (non-combat position) Viet Nam for one year in late 60's. lots of drinking and drugs but no killing on his part. but, i certainly will not say what decision anyone else should make about military service! self-immolation may make some people feel better. at least (i hope) they won't have to deal with life anymore. bri :) to MyPoemList waiting to hear from you.

I well remember the song by Peter, Paul and Mary and the incident when a Buddhist monk made the ultimate protest against the regime. You bring back the memories of the Vietnam War.

This poem tears at my heart. I remember quite a few similar incidents from that time period.