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

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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.

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As we enter “Charlie’s point” I see a woman dressed in white running as fast as she can at the sight of seeing us. This embarrasses me, as I can tell that the sound of the helicopter has brought back horrific memories. Even after many. The Vietnamese you can tell are still horrified about what happened to them.  As we go along I see a long bridge that is made out of sticks and straws that has been cut off half way. I feel like just the lives of the Vietnamese people have been ripped apart. There are millions ...

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