missmin

Newsweek has just done a new article for its upcoming issue called Voices of the Fallen, which focuses on the writings of servicemen and women who have been killed in Iraq. It's full of letters and emails, and other writings to their loved ones, and its beautiful, really. Everyone should check it out, it's really good.

It reminds me a lot of this documentary I've been reading about called "Operation Homecoming," that PBS is airing next month as part of their America at a Crossroads series. It's subtitlted "Writing the Wartime Experience" and it's all about letters, stories, and poetry and stuff, that have been written by those serving in Iraq, sometimes I think to deal with stuff. Which is cool, because I'm sure it's very theraputic. I'm excited to check that out. Especially after reading this article.

Lexis

That documentary sounds really interesting. Some of the best poetry of all time IMHO is that written during WW1 - war seems to sharpen the understanding of life. I'm off to check out your link.

missmin

Do you have any favorites, I'd be interested to read some of the WWII poetry you like?

This is the information page for the whole America at a Crossroads series, and this is the page for Operation Homecoming. Check it out when you get a chance. The whole series looks really well done, so I'm probably going to tune into all of it.

What'd you think of the Newsweek piece?

migamoo

This sounds really interesting. I'm not a huge fan of poetry, but I think I am make an exception.

Lexis

Well, my interest is mainly WW1 - In Flanders Field, Dulce et Decorum Est, Break of Day in the Trenches, anything by Sassoon...there is so much! If you get a chance, check out some of Wilfred Owen's work - he was so inspired but died just days before the end of the war.

I'm not finished looking through the Newsweek site yet - its emotionally intense for sure.

missmin

From what I've read, I think that Operation Homecoming is going to be more than just poetry - but rather all kinds of writing - from poetry to nonfictional accounts of things that happened to the authors. I can't wait to check it out for myself when it's on. I can already tell it's probably going to make me cry a ton (especially if that Newsweek article is any indication of how I'm going to react) - and also think about things on a more personal level, you know?