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Jun 23, 2017
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The Creature (Reflections on Vietnam)
Have you heard of the creature that prowled in the wood?
And frightened the people and stole half their food
Then off went a huntsman with all his brave men
To hunt for the creature, but never again
Some men returned; others did not
For it wasn't the creature, but they that were sought
This was written when I was 13, in 1964, more than 3 years before the Tet offensive in 1968. It is the first poem I wrote.
About This Poem
Review Request Direction: What did you think of my title?
Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back
Editing Stage: Editing - rough draft
Comments
jane210660
8 years ago
Keith
It's an amazing poem. I love it.
Just as an aside, mark it for the first poems workshop. If you go on to edit, then scroll down, you'll see the workshop box. Then it will show under the collection of poems for the workshop.
Keith Logan
8 years ago
Would that be fair?
I have hardly any inclination to edit.
jane210660
8 years ago
It's not to edit it as such
It's not to edit it as such Keith, it's to select 'Poets' first poem' in the workshop tab at the bottom of the page. This way the poem is assigned to the workshop.
Jx
Candlewitch
8 years ago
hello Keith,
the ending speaks of an awakening and lost innocence. I like this very much!
always, Cat
Keith Logan
8 years ago
Thank you Cat
you may be right, not something I had thought of.
wesley snow
8 years ago
Jane is right.
Mark it for "First Poems".
It is a powerful piece and not only because it is small. This is what the Imagery workshop is all about.
The images are there in an almost hidden language.
This is not a poet's first poem, but the work of a mature poet.
I am duly impressed.
scribbler
8 years ago
Kieth
This poem overcomes its faults with both the raw emotion and message........stan