In "Facing It," Yusef Komunyakaa grapples with the weight and trauma of his experiences as a soldier in the Vietnam War. He writes about visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. and seeing his own reflection in the shiny black wall, which is inscribed with the names of the fallen.
As he stands before the wall, Komunyakaa is overwhelmed with memories of the war. He remembers the sight of napalm explosions, the smell of burning flesh, and the sound of gunfire and helicopters. He remembers the friends he lost and the sacrifices he made.
Despite the pain and horror he experienced, Komunyakaa writes that he cannot turn away from the memorial. Instead, he embraces the memories and the loss, even as they threaten to consume him. He writes, "I go down on my knees/ and kiss the stone,/ face to face/ with the names."
Through this act of reverence, Komunyakaa honors the fallen and pays tribute to their sacrifice. At the same time, he confronts the traumas of war head-on, refusing to shy away from the difficult memories.
In the final stanza, Komunyakaa writes about the importance of facing and remembering the past, even when it is painful. He writes, "I'm a black man/ and I could spend/ my whole life writing/ my own names." This line suggests that every person has their own traumas and struggles to confront, and that it is important to remember and honor these experiences.
Overall, "Facing It" is a powerful and moving tribute to the fallen soldiers of the Vietnam War, as well as a meditation on the importance of facing and remembering the past, no matter how difficult it may be.
Facing It by Yusef Komunyakaa
I turn this way—the stone lets me go. The theme of this poem, through the speaker, gives us a peek into one of the most difficult phases a person can face in a lifetime. Thus, it was easier to forget the war that caused the death of at least 57,000 Americans. They also describe people, memories, and brief glimpses of nature. Perhaps he has the impression of a lost arm and then realizes he has made a mistake. Here is the summary and analysis of the poem.
Facing It Analysis
The rest of the poem details different illusory images that he sees reflected in the memorial. However, the spouse, families and children back at home are suffering even more than soldiers. He is experiencing the simultaneous existence of peace and war and how it changes those who surround it. The final illusory image of the poem is of a woman whose reflection in the wall appears to be trying to erase the names inscribed in the memorial. During the poem, he reflects on his thoughts from the war while he was at the Vietnam Veteran Memorial. It also suggests that the white vet, like the speaker, is struggling with an eerie sense that he, too, is a casualty of war.
💣 Facing it by yusef komunyakaa analysis. Facing It “Facing It” Summary and Analysis. 2022
My black face fades, hiding inside the black granite. Then, he experiences nostalgia whilst reminiscing his past. The Vietnam War was one of the longest wars in the history of the United States of America, in which around 10% of the total population had served. Facing It Poem Summary and Analysis Nevertheless, he did not flinch, and he did not turn away. However, the flesh is soft and sensitive as it embodies the turmoil he is experiencing. After both wars, people that were alive experienced not only the physical damages, but also the psychic trauma by seeing the deaths and injuries of family members, friends or even just strangers. Unusual rhythm gives the poem its beauty and unforgettable character.
