In a crammed helicopter I read a poem called "What were they like?" written by Denise Levertov. I try to imagine word to word what the poet speaker is trying to demonstrate by sentences such as, "Did they distinguish between speech and singing?" Vietnam
REFLECTIVE RESPONSE TO THE POEM
“WHAT WERE THEY LIKE” BY
DENISE LEVERTOV FROM POEMS OF OTHER CULTURES. IN AQA 2005 ANTHOLOGY.
As I sit down in a crammed helicopter I read a poem called “What were they like?” written by Denise Levertov. I try to imagine word to word what the poet speaker is trying to demonstrate by sentences such as, “Did they distinguish between speech and singing?” Vietnam meant little to me; once a far away places now a necessary visit, I can’t help feeling a sense of responsibility.
General O’ Connor points out to me in his clean green military uniform with a shining gold badge reflecting into my eyes, that we are minutes away from entering the once famous “Charlies point”, the American phrase for the Vietnamese strong hold on the Nha Trang coast, some distance Saigon.