When I was oh so wee
I sat upon grandma's window sill
And watched the sky with glee
The day they stopped to kill
Flying machines filled the sky
Like swarms of buzzing bees
One with a cross swoshes by
With a soldier's wounded knees
Propellers fluttered overhead
Such a marvel to little me
As I dipped my slice of bread
In my condensed milk tea
I watched well into the night
And wished it would never end
But mosquitos began to bite
And grandma said to come again
I snug a final hopeful glance
As I bid a fond so long
To lights that seemed to dance
That surreal day in Saigon
This poem was inspired by a Sunday Scribblings writing prompt, "When We Were Wee".
19 comments:
Lovely
Hi John! I'd love to hear more about your childhood. I had the amazing experience of spending a month traveling in Vietnam in 1996, and I'm looking very much forward to going back some day. The people I met, especially in Saigon, shared such heartwrenching stories of the war years, and were so generous and warm. I REALLY loved the country! Your poem is wonderful.
What a fantastic poem. Thanks for sharing.
Lovely post about your very unique childhood memories. Tell us more!
Wonderful!
Heart-wrenching and heartwarming all at the same time.
Thanks for sharing your memories of such a historic time. Your poem was so moving and I could really see you at that windowsill.
Thank you all for your supportive comments. John.
Mr. T
Thanks for the view through your window. I love the way you bring the immage of grandmother forward.
I hope you can visit Saigon someday- as an adult- and reconnect even more with your roots...
Then, come back and write some more!
This was amazing and sad at the same time. Thank you for sharing.
That's a very sweet poem!
And condensed milk tea ... I remember that too!
Hi John! How wonderful to see you here. The rich images of your poem reveal that complexity of how we see things as children contrasted to what we know now as we look back on our experiences. Thank you for sharing! I look forward to more :)
love its subtleness..
LOve this one JOhn, reminds of Lea Salonga, the Miss Saigon star on West End Broadway...:-)
She's my fellow Filipina and I am proud of her for her portrayal of Kim!
And your poem is beuatifully penned John!
Very interesting.. i liked it.. a great prompt too...
Thanks for sharing...
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
Twitter: @VerseEveryDay
Blog: http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.com
wow what a memory. Truly. Thanks for sharing it with us.
regards my friend
Luke @ WordSalad
(mine are here-
http://wp.me/pTeVg-cx
http://wp.me/pTeVg-cP
a heartfelt piece,
lovely imagery,
I am tickled by your participation.
Thanks for submitting an entry for week 10.
Keep writing,
your poetry rocks,
xxx
flying machines,
buzzing bees....
these are vivid.
http://thursdaypoetsrallypoetry.wordpress.com/2010/11/08/my-sister-lives-too-far-away/
awards 4 u...
great poem. really took me into the narrative. good use of words. excellent job!
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