Carving Hope in Cabanatuan
A POW's act to keep hope alive during World War II34 total reviews
Comment from Nescher Pyscher
he had wrapped it(In?) the month before he died:
I'd like to read this story in full as a prosee offering, divorced from Author's Notes. I think it deserves that much and more. It's an awesome premise, real-life, and I don't think this poem quite does it justice.
Good luck in the contest.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2009
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he had wrapped it(In?) the month before he died:
I'd like to read this story in full as a prosee offering, divorced from Author's Notes. I think it deserves that much and more. It's an awesome premise, real-life, and I don't think this poem quite does it justice.
Good luck in the contest.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 16-Feb-2009
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2009
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Thanks for stopping by. My uncle's "story" has already been told in prose form. The challenge of the contest was to use 7 or 8 specific words in a poem of one's choosing. As for the omitted "in," that was intentional. Tetractys poems often omit prepostions, conjunctions, etc. because it is necessary to create a story/image within the prescribed syllabic count. In the instance that you note, the omissions of the preposition "in" does not detract from the reader's understanding. diane
Comment from Ragnar
Your work is outstanding... such a sad and sweet story all told in the same breath. It deserves every accolade I can give.
I saw a show on the history channel not long ago about the prison ships that history has largely forgotten. The men who died on the death march are known by all, but not many know the story of the men who were sent to Japan to work as slaves for the Imperial army.
You created not only a work of art, but an important historical reminder. Thank you
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2009
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Your work is outstanding... such a sad and sweet story all told in the same breath. It deserves every accolade I can give.
I saw a show on the history channel not long ago about the prison ships that history has largely forgotten. The men who died on the death march are known by all, but not many know the story of the men who were sent to Japan to work as slaves for the Imperial army.
You created not only a work of art, but an important historical reminder. Thank you
Comment Written 16-Feb-2009
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2009
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Hello Ragnar,
I am deeply honored and humbled by your exceptional rating. Interesting observation that you make regarding WWII and the subject of the Japanese. You are correct when you say that many know of Bataan, but few know of the slave labor or the Hell ships of the Imperial Army. I am 55 years old, and none of this information was ever taught to me while I was in high school and/or college. Had my uncle not experienced the horror of the Philippines, I may never have known of the atrocities...Be Well...diane
Comment from Amicus
This is a wonderful poem -- a powerful story told in an intricate well-crafted form. The required words were so skillfully woven into the poem that one was unaware that they were required.
Nothing to improve here. It's a gem.
Thanks for providing a moving reading experience.
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2009
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This is a wonderful poem -- a powerful story told in an intricate well-crafted form. The required words were so skillfully woven into the poem that one was unaware that they were required.
Nothing to improve here. It's a gem.
Thanks for providing a moving reading experience.
Comment Written 16-Feb-2009
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2009
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Hello Friend! I am honored that you appreciate my offering. Thank you so much! diane
Comment from Firefly54
This is a work of art! Beautiful just to look at, before one actually gets as far as reading it! Your words are lost... they fit in perfectly, and authors notes are fascinating. Best of luck!
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2009
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This is a work of art! Beautiful just to look at, before one actually gets as far as reading it! Your words are lost... they fit in perfectly, and authors notes are fascinating. Best of luck!
Comment Written 15-Feb-2009
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2009
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Hello Friend! I so appreciate your stopping by and enjoying your visit! diane
Comment from jojosug
This was such a moving and inspiring poem, I had to read it out loud, as you asked, twice. Such a waste of a wonderful young life and such courage. What is there to say, this poem reflects it all.
Jo
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2009
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This was such a moving and inspiring poem, I had to read it out loud, as you asked, twice. Such a waste of a wonderful young life and such courage. What is there to say, this poem reflects it all.
Jo
Comment Written 15-Feb-2009
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2009
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Hello Jo! Am so pleased that you read my offering aloud. Thank you for your kind words. diane
Comment from GregoryC
I am well aware of the cruelty and barbarity as well as the many atrocities committed by the Japanese military. Your poem brings to light these horrors. The poem actually takes on a shape of a verycal oscillator showing a heartbeat that steadily diminishes.
The successful raid by U.S. Rangers on the Cabanatuan camp was due to intelligence that the Japs were killing all prisoners of war. Their mission was to infiltrate about 30 miles behind enemy lines, assault the Cabanatuan POW Camp, liberate the prisoners and return them safely to U.S. lines before the Japanese could mount a counterattack.
The prison ships were another matter. A real tragedy, as you described. The Japanese were cleaning out Cabanatuan except for cripples and seriously sick. Loaded them on these Hell Ships, shackled in the hold and put our men on starvation diets. How could our subs realize that they were attacking our own troops. It was the Japs that deliberately misled us.
The object of Japan being to develop the Philippines into a vassal state, the Japanese were so openly contemptuous, cruel, and arbitrary in their treatment of the Filipinos and Americans alike. The Nips made no attempt to conceal that they considered soldiers who surrendered the scum of the earth, unworthy of any respect or consideration. The same cruelty and starvation diet was meted out to the Americans and Filipinos alike.
My uncles fought in WWII in the European Theatre. My Uncle John was killed in the Battle of the Bulge, another was captured by German youth at the end of the war. He survived. We will always honor their sacrifice.
Gregory
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2009
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I am well aware of the cruelty and barbarity as well as the many atrocities committed by the Japanese military. Your poem brings to light these horrors. The poem actually takes on a shape of a verycal oscillator showing a heartbeat that steadily diminishes.
The successful raid by U.S. Rangers on the Cabanatuan camp was due to intelligence that the Japs were killing all prisoners of war. Their mission was to infiltrate about 30 miles behind enemy lines, assault the Cabanatuan POW Camp, liberate the prisoners and return them safely to U.S. lines before the Japanese could mount a counterattack.
The prison ships were another matter. A real tragedy, as you described. The Japanese were cleaning out Cabanatuan except for cripples and seriously sick. Loaded them on these Hell Ships, shackled in the hold and put our men on starvation diets. How could our subs realize that they were attacking our own troops. It was the Japs that deliberately misled us.
The object of Japan being to develop the Philippines into a vassal state, the Japanese were so openly contemptuous, cruel, and arbitrary in their treatment of the Filipinos and Americans alike. The Nips made no attempt to conceal that they considered soldiers who surrendered the scum of the earth, unworthy of any respect or consideration. The same cruelty and starvation diet was meted out to the Americans and Filipinos alike.
My uncles fought in WWII in the European Theatre. My Uncle John was killed in the Battle of the Bulge, another was captured by German youth at the end of the war. He survived. We will always honor their sacrifice.
Gregory
Comment Written 15-Feb-2009
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2009
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Hello Gregory: I am about halfway through Ghost Soldiers...so much of what I now know, I didn't before I began researching this chapter of WWII. My dad's family rarely spoke of the tragedy. Thank you for your thorough review. diane
Comment from Karen B.
Mrs KT, This is a beautiful tribute to a hero, heartfelt and touching. Thanks for sharing your uncle's story with us. Very well written, and will be hard to beat as a contest entry. Karen
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2009
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Mrs KT, This is a beautiful tribute to a hero, heartfelt and touching. Thanks for sharing your uncle's story with us. Very well written, and will be hard to beat as a contest entry. Karen
Comment Written 15-Feb-2009
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2009
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Hello Karen! So pleased you enjoyed my offering. Thank you! diane
Comment from bluefly
Hi Mrs. KT,
This is an incredibly moving and wonderfully written tribute to your brave uncle. He certainly earned and deserved so much more of life, but your poem is a gift that will keep his memory alive. Beautiful and creative presentation to fit the theme of the poem. Thank you for including the historical information in the author's notes, very interesting.
Best wishes in the contest.
Scott
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2009
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Hi Mrs. KT,
This is an incredibly moving and wonderfully written tribute to your brave uncle. He certainly earned and deserved so much more of life, but your poem is a gift that will keep his memory alive. Beautiful and creative presentation to fit the theme of the poem. Thank you for including the historical information in the author's notes, very interesting.
Best wishes in the contest.
Scott
Comment Written 15-Feb-2009
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2009
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Hello Scott: My uncle was a poet, philosopher, carver, and a true hero in every sense of the word. I wish I had known him...Thank you! diane
Comment from jadapenn
This poem is a wonderful and touching tribute to your uncle. It tears at ones heart, all these war atrocities which were and still are committed. The author information on William is awesome.
Poem well written and tells the story beautifully.
Best wishes for the contest. regards jada
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2009
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This poem is a wonderful and touching tribute to your uncle. It tears at ones heart, all these war atrocities which were and still are committed. The author information on William is awesome.
Poem well written and tells the story beautifully.
Best wishes for the contest. regards jada
Comment Written 15-Feb-2009
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2009
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Thank you so much for stopping by and for your kind review! diane
Comment from mermaids
My father was in WWII for three straight years, he was lucky to come home and lived to be 86. He was awarded the purple heart and bronze star. Wonderful tribute to your uncle, he did much in a short time.
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2009
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My father was in WWII for three straight years, he was lucky to come home and lived to be 86. He was awarded the purple heart and bronze star. Wonderful tribute to your uncle, he did much in a short time.
Comment Written 15-Feb-2009
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2009
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Much appreciation for your kind and exceptional review! I am deeply honored. diane
