The Old Vet (Saipan)

[mnaz]

I still remember that guy,
the random guy in that bar.
He said he was 82 but looked 50,
five foot five or six, a quiet man.

He told me of the war he fought.
He fought against Japan in 1944
on the usually idyllic isle of Saipan
and his troop was nearly overrun.

He told me of the irrational speed
and lulls, too random at the front.
He told me about the flames
and inhuman eyes.

[mnaz]

True story. I met this guy in a bar in a little town in the desert. It was near a military base. He actually invited me to his house, and maybe I should've gone. This was about 20 years ago. I'm pretty sure I wrote about it back then.

[Doreen Peri]

It’s really an excellent poem. I love the way your writing is so detailed and full of imagery, while at the same time it doesn’t waste words. It’s concise and rhythmic to read aloud! You use meter intuitively, it seems.

I remember when Clay and I recorded one of your pieces… and we talked about what a fine writer you are after finishing the recording. Maybe I can find a link to it. I think I put it on my SoundCloud page… or his.

[mnaz]

Thanks Doreen. I tend to not put much thought into meter, so I guess it must be intuitive when it clicks.

Now that I think about it, most of this poetic account is from his descriptions, but I think I added at least one element from a wiki article I read about the battle-- "flames" (flamethrowers were used). World War 2 was truly horrific.

[Doreen Peri]

https://on.soundcloud.com/CFI8sgIv7CXwzA13dQ

“This is the Problem of Heaven” which you wrote many years ago and LRod and I recorded

Hah! I found it!

I don’t remember the flame throwers poem. Can you post it again?

[mnaz]

Wow, blast from the past. Another poem based on/inspired by someone I crossed paths with. Thanks for that!

The flame throwers weren't/wasn't a poem I wrote; they were weapons used on Saipan, mentioned in the article I read about the battle for that island. I don't think the old vet specifically mentioned them, but he did say that his group was nearly overrun. He was a haunted man.