APO 96225

APO 96225 written by Larry Rottmann is probably the most depressing poem/piece of literature that I have ever read in my life. Knowing that APO stands for Army Post Office gave me some insight that this poem was about an American. Knowing that America fought a war in Vietnam where it rains a lot gave me the insight that this poem dealt with the Vietnam War. Understanding the horrible things that occurred throughout that war is something that Americans, Vietnamese, Cambodians, and the world will never forget. Like the holocaust, the Vietnam actions that took place shocked the world and cause a reevaluation of everything that was happening to prevent the spread of communism. This particular poem seemed to be an allegory of the Vietnam War as a whole to a single soldier that deals with his mother. The line, "Upsetting your mother,"(18) queued me onto the denial that was at hand. The mother doesn't seem to acknowledge the horror that is going on in her son's life just as many American's seemed to be in denial of what their "Country" was doing to other human beings. The sad fact that many cannot seem to accept the truth of the situation that occurred overseas sickened thousands and resulted in the American troops leaving the country after the mission was deemed over.