48 responses to “Far from Vietnam”

1. Wow tarmac serpeant licks the soil? Oh boy that is out there love it x

   • Thank you 🙂 That is how it feels..

     • Well it really took me there x

2. They stopped the draft the year I graduated high school

   • What fortune… A happy new year to you Bill 🙂

     • I often wonder if it was for good or ill – in a way I’ve lived my life and never been tested. Happy new year to you too

     • When I grew up I did the military service.. nothing real of course but I have felt some of it.

3. That last line really changes the feel of this poem for me. Puts a focus on the need to get away and be free. Beautifully expressed.

4. Very sad to think about the soldiers’ tombstone wreaths. A powerful statement, Bjorn.

5. A new favorite of yours, Bjorn–beautifully succinct and vivid. k.

6. I like how you recalled a period and the carefree time, so far. I have often said that I grew up in a region where numerous WW! battles were fought. There was not a single village that did not have tombstones and war memorials. The twentieth century certainly was a deadly era.

7. The soldiers’ tombstone wreaths really got to me, too, Bjorn. I remember that war and all that it cost.
   K

8. I remember that war too. Succinct and powerful, Bjorn.

9. They are still riding away for Viet Nam. I know many of them. Such a powerful piece.

10. I really like this, Bjorn. The rhyme is so natural and never interrupts the flow or feeling of the poem.
    Happy New Year! 🙂

11. This works so well, Bjorn. Despite the word limit, your poem has an excellent sense of cohesion, containing all the necessary elements of the story – all the more impacting because of the history behind it.

12. Beautiful. I think it really honors the souls of those veterans. I was born during the Viet Nam war. It really changed the way we all see things, but those who went through it endured changes that the rest of us can only imagine.
    http://sphereofmusic.blogspot.com/2015/01/outfoxing-quixote-flash-55-extra.html

13. The abruptness of the last line changed the perspective. Vivid and powerful. Intense write.
    -HA

14. Powerful, concise…great imagery.

15. The Vietnam line bites. For so long, Vietnam vets were under-rated – at least in Australia. A haunting, dynamic poem.

16. Bjorn, It’s hard for people back “home” to understand what soldiers go through in a war zone. Well done. — Suzanne

17. Haunting piece. This made me remember the movie I watched recently, Good Morning, Vietnam.

    By the way, Happy New Year Bjorn 🙂

18. “Not yet blessed” … the irony of such freedom, the hope of it. A beautiful poem.

19. I specially like the opening lines ~ I see those bikers during summer with their big bikes ~ On the road, with this back story, everything is far from Vietnam ~ Happy New Year Bjorn ~

20. i felt struggle in this… perhaps because it was a difficult time all around

21. Oh my! you certainly did achieve your goal I can smell that time back again … Happy Healthy Peaceful New Year filled with light and love and continued beautiful writing 🙂

22. You definitely captured the period with the imagery and details and so succinctly. Well done and Happy New Year to you, Bjorn 🙂

23. Yes, I was also touched by your words ‘soldiers’ tombstone wreaths’. Very provoking and thoughtful, Bjorn. Happy New Year to you.

24. In that land far from Vietnam I wonder have they ever really left those shores behind. I think in the shadows of night they surface. Happy New Year my friend..may the bear be kind to you this year.

25. What a strong poem. It is so heartfelt I could sense your deep caring about the peril of that war and all wars. Hope you have a wonderful year Bjorn.

26. “The tarmac serpent licks the soil..” that is classic, Bjorn. You can feel the heat, the underlying loss of Eden, and the lies that caused it, all in that need to get away. Way to rock the 55.

27. a very thought provoking piece…war veterans, victims and innocent sufferers, all woven nicely into the lines.

28. A stirring piece, Bjorn. Well done!

29. So profoundly effective with the imagery and the word choices!

30. What a powerful poem Bjorn! Once again I find myself drawn to your voice and perspective. Cheers!

31. A very real poem, so concrete yet so elusive.

32. The last line says it all…. like the phrase’ tarmac serpent’…nicely done.. 🙂

33. yes, our minds with those who are not safe yet…

34. You got it fella!

35. Interesting to me to see your subject, because i just watched “The Hanoi Hilton” last night! Though it came out in 1987, I had never seen it.

36. brilliant ~

37. What a glorious tribute to servicemen from the Vietnam war. It took many years for Australian soldiers to be recognized and honored, to the country’s shame.

38. Excellent capture of this period, Brud. Love thAt image of, Tarmac serpent licks the soil.

39. happy new year Bjorn…a new beginning with a wonderful remembering of the soldiers..

40. We may not escape the war inside but perhaps if we dare to out run it we can quiet it for a while…inspiring poem..

41. There are still places on earth still not disturbed with the calamities or ravages of war. One is just fortunate. Wonderful write Bjorn!

    Hank

42. once you’ve been there, it’s never very far from home. (and that goes for all wars) it goes to sleep and sometimes a little roar by the tarmac wakes it up. and a soft landing gives it rest. your poem made me think…

43. Wow.
    I would say the first two lines are the best, but then no….I thought the next two were best, but then no…the last. But then, well, I guess it’s just the whole.

    I know many who are still riding away from Vietnam. Never far enough.

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