Welcome to the 261st Virtual Poetry Circle!
Remember, this is just for fun and is not meant to be stressful.
Keep in mind what Molly Peacock’s book suggested.
Look at a line, a stanza, sentences, and images; describe what you like or don’t like; and offer an opinion. If you missed my review of her book, check it out here.
Today’s poem is from Hoa Nguyen’s As Long as Trees Last:
Independence Day 2010
Can be cracked or am that you didn't
consider me or I thought so
recovering in a nap You took the 4th
of July beers
In the movie
she was Asian and playing an Asian
part singing white on white in the white
room
I want to strum
or mask this day
Ask a question
of the large “picture” window
like why and why and also why
to think of the napalmed girl
in the picture
What do you think?
Very odd structure. I think I agree with Harvee, though, about the poem being about a Vietnamese immigrant.
The price of freedom? Bitter at times…to a new immigrant from Vietnam.
I think you may be right about that…there is also a tinge of regret near the end.