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Facing It (1988)

Author: Yusef Komunyakaa
Type: Poetry · Free verse
Era/Period: USH Unit 7 — Vietnam Era
ELA Standards: 9-10.R.8 · 9-10.R.9
USH Standards: US.6_12.5 · US.6_12.6
Copyright: Copyrighted — excerpt only (first 8 lines of 16)

What This Poem Is About

"Facing It" is a poem by Yusef Komunyakaa, an American poet known for his powerful and moving descriptions of life during the Vietnam War era. Komunyakaa served as a correspondent in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970 and later wrote extensively about his experiences there. This particular poem was published in 1988 when the United States was still grappling with the aftermath of the war. The speaker in "Facing It" stands at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., reflecting on the names etched into the black granite wall that represent lives lost during the conflict. The poem captures the emotional weight and personal impact of the memorial on those who visit it.

Read It

My enemy
is the eye-rim, bone-button sky.
Out of a mirror
a mythic, electricity-black wingtips angling on Iwo Jima,
off the coast of Japan.
I see theghosts—
of those who will not weep, who cannotweep,

Full 16-line poem in Dien Cai Dau (1988, Wesleyan University Press).

Why This Poem Matters

"Facing It" is a poignant and deeply reflective piece that speaks to the broader historical context of the Vietnam War. The memorial itself was designed by Maya Lin, an architecture student at Yale, when she was just 21 years old in 1982. Komunyakaa’s poem captures not only the physical presence of the memorial but also its psychological impact on visitors. By describing the reflections and emotions that arise from seeing one's own image intermixed with the names of fallen soldiers, the poet highlights the enduring pain and memory associated with the war.

Komunyakaa's personal background as a veteran himself lends authenticity to his portrayal of the Vietnam War's lasting effects on individuals and society. The poem is significant for its exploration of themes such as loss, trauma, and national identity. It invites readers to reflect on how memorials shape our understanding of history and our sense of collective memory.

ELA Standards Connection

Standard Connection
9-10.R.8 Analyzing the ways in which specific literary devices (such as imagery, metaphor) are used to convey meaning. In "Facing It," Komunyakaa uses vivid imagery and metaphors like "eye-rim" and "electricity-black wingtips" to evoke a powerful emotional response.
9-10.R.9 Analyzing how an author's point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text. Komunyakaa’s purpose in writing this poem is to capture the personal impact of war memorials, reflecting on his own experience as a veteran.
9-10.W.4 Producing clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. Students could write an essay exploring how Komunyakaa’s personal history influences his perspective on war memorials.

Social Studies Connection

The Vietnam War was a significant period in American history, marked by intense domestic debate over its moral and political justifications. The establishment of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1982 came at a time when many Americans were beginning to grapple with the full extent of the war's human cost. This memorial serves as both a physical reminder of those who died and an emotional focal point for survivors, families, and all who seek understanding about this pivotal era.

Key Vocabulary

  • Vietnam War: A prolonged military conflict between communist North Vietnam and its southern allies (South Vietnam) against the United States and other anti-communist forces from 1955 to 1975.
  • Memorial: A monument, building, or other structure erected in memory of a person or event; here, specifically referring to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
  • Correspondent: A journalist who reports on events occurring outside their home country, often covering military conflicts like the Vietnam War.
  • Era: A period characterized by distinctive features or mannerisms; for example, the "Vietnam Era" encompasses significant social and political changes linked to that conflict.
  • Mythic: Belonging to mythology or resembling myth in quality, typically involving legends or stories of heroic figures.

Studio Ideas

  1. Write an argumentative essay explaining why memorials like the Vietnam Veterans Memorial are essential for understanding historical events. Use specific lines from "Facing It" to support your points.
  2. Compose a letter from the perspective of Maya Lin, discussing her design process and the emotional impact she anticipated it would have on visitors.
  3. Create a contemporary connection by writing about how recent memorials or monuments related to conflicts like the War in Iraq might affect individuals today.

Pairs With

Why This Is Relevant Today?

"Facing It" remains relevant today as it speaks to ongoing debates about national memory, the costs of warfare, and the ways in which society honors those who have served. Issues such as veteran’s healthcare, military conflict ethics, and public monuments continue to be topics of intense discussion. The poem invites readers to consider how our collective memories of past conflicts shape current policies and attitudes towards war.

Poetry Collection · SDA Commons Reading Library · South High School