Charlie Howard was not one of those people. Charlie accepts that he is different and somehow also understands that the transgressions against him are not truly aimed at him but at his difference. The idea that he would tell them "it's all right, that he knows they didn't believe him when he said he couldn't swim, and blesses his killers in the way that only the dead can afford to forgive"(Doty) is mind blowing. It is hard for me to understand the idea of true forgiveness of ones killer in death.
I also felt great emotion reading Kevin C. Powers "Letter Composed During a Lull in the Fighting". This particular poem caught my attention simply because of the fact I have been in the situation and I understand well what the character is witness to. "I tell her I love her like not killing or ten minutes of sleep"(Powers). These first two lines are very powerful, and full of meaning. The speaker, a Marine, is expressing in the only way that he can, the love he has for his wife. He does not choose these words so that she will know that he is working long hard hours killing the enemy and that he is over due for a nap. He uses these words because these are the thoughts that fill his mind, his wish for the killing to end, and for sleep uninterrupted by fear of death.
"I tell her in a letter that will stink, when she opens it"(Powers). This was by far the most important piece of the poem to me. Often letters from home would come laced with my wife's perfume as a way to feel as if she were there. Letters home never had that quality. The stink that he speaks of has nothing to do with the oil or burnt powder, the only thing that matters are "the things it says"(Powers). The letter may stink of the things he tells her he has done, or even worse, the lies he tell to protect her from thinking him a monster. His letter will not remind her of when he was with her, it will only stink of his absence.
Lastly is the comment that "war is just us making little pieces of metal pass through each other"(Powers). The only way to cope with the things one is forced to do in war is to down play the seriousness of his or her actions. Adding this to his letter is proof of his fear that his wife may begin to think differently of him knowing the things he has done. If he can believe Pvt. Bartles simplified view of war, maybe she can too.
http://johnstamosfever.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/mosher-soldier.jpg
to learn more about helping our war fighters go to http://anymarine.com/
Works Cited
Doty, Mark. “Charlie Howard’s Descent.” Angelfire.com. Angelfire,
2011. Web. 16 June 2011.
Powers, Kevin C. “Letter Composed During a Lull in the Fighting.” Poetryfoundations.org. Poetry Foundation, 2011. Web. 16 June 2011
Hi Scott,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your thoughts on the poems you chose. I also chose "Charlie Howard's Descent," and agree with what you had to say. So often people, all types of people, are forced into wearing a facade in the attempt to be less conspicuous in our society. To be different and stand out is unacceptable these days, whatever aspect of "you" may differ from the "norm."
I found "Letter Composed During a Lull in the Fighting" to be a powerful poem as well. War is such a nasty thing to discuss, but it must be. "I tell her that the letter will stink, when she opens it" absolute is a gripping line. I've never experienced war, or had a family member be over seas, but I can visualize the pain and horror that that line signifies. I'm sure many men and women who are at war fear what others may think of the things they have had to do. Hopefully loved ones understand, but it must be a horrible thing to have to go through.
Very nice thoughts, and thanks for all you've done.
I especially appreciate your understanding of "Letter Composed During a Lull in the Fighting". I am sorry you had to experience that and maybe someday we can find a way to not have to solve things by war. I'm afraid that day is way off in the future. I appreciated this poem because it is not glorifying war. In history we have war glamorous. I think that when Vietnam came along and the war entered our living rooms we began to see a what really happens when we send our young men off to serve.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your service and insight.
Laurie B.
Just a technical note, remember to add line numbers to your citations.
Scott,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your response to both of the poems you chose, "Charlie Howard's Descent," and "Letter Composed During a Lull in the Fighting." I liked how you described how the poems made you feel and affected you personally. I appreciated your explanation of the line, I imagine he took the insults in and made them a place to live." I had a hard time figuring out what he meant. Although it may be interpreted differently by someone else, your explanation made perfect sense to me and I felt it was insightful. Your example of being a witness to someone who has experienced this type of ridicule drove home the point of the poem and made the issue very real. It also made me feel sad.
Your comments on the poem, "letters composed during a Lull in the Fighting were very intriguing to me since I wrote about the same poem. The fact that you were a true witness to war yourself gave your comments more weight and validity. My perspective was a bit different than yours which was fascinating to me. You were a true witness, and I had to imagine war based on the written word and imagination. I do wonder why you thought the speaker was a marine? I don't recall the poem saying so, but perhaps there was a clue I missed.I like how you convey your thoughts clearly. Good job!