A collection of photo illustrated war and post war vignettes, short stories, war nightmares, war poetry and travel writing by a Vietnam combat medic. Site includes war related videos and documents. There is some harsh language.
Like many grunts I laced my dog tags in my boots. Soon enough, Dented, scratched, bent, Locked in the curl Of my blood types circle, Crimped in my non-religion– Engraved upper case, Sheltering in the sum Of my service number, Even my name retains bits Of crimson dust. Day after day, patrols Jungle, ambush, monsoon Our blood and sorrows Etched in Quan Loi’s dusty red– One by one our countless steps Become our mud-laced epitaphs. _______________
Quan Loi
Quan Loi
Like many grunts
I laced my dog tags in my boots.
Soon enough,
Dented, scratched, bent,
Locked in the curl
Of my blood types circle,
Crimped in my non-religion–
Engraved upper case,
Sheltering in the sum
Of my service number,
Even my name retains bits
Of crimson dust.
Day after day, patrols
Jungle, ambush, monsoon
Our blood and sorrows
Etched in Quan Loi’s dusty red–
One by one our countless steps
Become our mud-laced epitaphs.
_______________
Marc Levy