The
Roar of the Lion King
(Dedicated
to the stripped EP-3E airplane and her American crew)
Under the
moonlight
His cub lies wounded.
The airstrip of Hainan
Came alive with howling hyenas.
Linh Duy Vo
(The Boy in the Poem)
Good Friday, 13 April 2001©
The Boston Globe -- April 12, 2001
BEIJING:
"...U.S. commercial satellite photos showed a row of trucks lined up beside
the plane, suggesting the Chinese military had been searching and stripping the
American aircraft."
Echoes from the South China Sea
April Fools', 2001
A sea of souls of Vietnamese refugees
Gathered on the ocean floor:
"Welcome pilot Wang Wei
We are glad you joined
We are the ghosts known as Boat People
Tell us about you..."
"It was an accident in the sky
It's like a soccer game
I intercepted the ball,
Taking it to the goalie
I twisted my ankle, I fell."
The children, women, surrounded pilot Wang Wei
"So who's at fault?"
"Of course, me, the active player.
My coach wanted an apology from the ball
To save face
It backfired.
It's my sportsmanship that I am to lose.
My Chinese politburo want to fool the world and themselves
They want a chance to host the 2008 Olympics
And they have no sportsmanship.
But there's still a chance
China must not keep the Americans hostage
Even the Chinese risked their lives,
Escaped to the American shores of freedom.
I am now a Ghost.
I'm telling the truth."
Linh Duy Vo
(The Boy in the Poem)
April 6. 2001 ©
Subj: Re: Welcome to Taipei
Date: 6/6/2005 7:32:19 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: Poet Linh D Vo
To: y<>chen<>@hotmail.com, j<>@mail.moj.gov.tw
CC:VET66A@<>com, President@Whitehouse.gov, Senator_McCain@mccain.senate.gov
My loved Ones in Taipei,
Thank You Papa, Sister Mei, Brother Paul, Xaoxao, Robert, Samuel and Taiwan for your love for me.
Please open your heart for my heartfelt love, that my works of poetry of love and gratitude for human freedom and liberty can be shared in honoring my American Viet Vet Daddy. Taiwan, in my heart, is the possibility of having the world see her as a Nation. And I am a stand for that. And that's who I am.
So please powerfully share with others my commitment for the people of Taiwan.
With love and prayers,
Linh Duy Vo
Gratitude.org
In a message dated 6/5/2005 9:18:44 AM Pacific Standard Time, y<>chen<>@hotmail.com writes:
Dear Linh,
We have got your email, and we all welcome you to come to Taipei. And be sure to tell us your arrival date and flight number. Looking forward to seeing you soon.
Sister Mei
Paul Chen, Col. (Ret.), Taiwan Armed Forces
Ministry of Justice
Taipei, Taiwan
j<>@mail.moj.gov.tw
May 23, 2005
Dear Brother Paul,
Lest I forget the power of creating a realm of possibility for Taiwan, that is the possibility of having great supports from millions of American veterans who served in the Vietnam War.
It is my mission of love and gratitude, which embodies their sacrifices for freedom and liberty for citizens of the world.
My works, in particular, inspired a young American student to reach his dream of being accepted by West Point (www.gratitude.org/from_a_west_point_cadet_2002.htm ). And the possibility now I see is the possibility in which my asset as an American poet, who has experienced communism first hand, will touch, move and inspire the citizens of Taiwan. They will empower themselves when the time comes for them to stand up to totalitarianism.
My family and I keep Taiwan in our prayers, that for God's sake, red China will not become so greedy that they will shed blood of the Taiwanese in creating a war against this peaceful, democratic island.
Sincerely,
Linh Duy Vo
562-774-6961
Poet's Note:
Please feel free to share these URLs with your countrymen who are concerned about the Taiwan/China issue. I would be pleased if you will share my website, www.Gratitude.org, with schools in your country. The spirits on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial will be looking after your struggle to remain free from communism.
In a message dated 6/5/2005 9:18:44 AM Pacific Standard Time, ymchen41@hotmail.com writes:
>From: PoetLinhDVo@cs.com
>Subject: A promise kept...
>Date: Mon, 23 May 2005 15:21:40 EDT
>
>Paul Chen, Col. (Ret.), Taiwan Armed Forces
>Ministry of Justice
>Taipei, Taiwan
>just@mail.moj.gov.tw
>
>May 23, 2005
>
>Dear Brother Paul,
>
>I have promised with Sister Rosary's spirit that I shall return once more to
>visit Papa before he becomes too weak as he is now walking towards the sunset.
>
>Love is flowing, and love is available. I am so blessed to be loved by the
>Chen Family. I never forget the images of Ma every morning walking down the
>long flight of stairs to get me a breakfast accompanied by a large glass of
>fresh warm soybean milk.
>
>I cherish my having been in Taiwan, living in your home and always felt I
>belong there.
>
>This summer I will spend some time with Papa and you all. I will go to
>visit the graves of Ma's, Taco's, Juen's and Rosary's and light an incense for
>them.
>
>God Bless you and God Bless Taiwan (protecting Taiwan from being swallowed by red China).
>
>With love and gratitude
>
>Linh-Spirit
>Gratitude.org
>
>Poet's Note: My poetry reading is possible / available for the University's Students there. There is a powerful awareness in my works that draws the human attention to the Taiwan/China issue. So pass on this offering to the governmental officials as you see it fit.
>
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