Summary Of Facing It By Yusef Komunyakaa

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In the poem, “Facing It”, by Yusef Komunyakaa, the speaker describes his feelings while visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. The speaker’s state of mind transitions chronological throughout the poem from refection of self, reflection of past, and finally through the acceptance of reality. The speaker reflects himself during the first 9 lines of the poem. Knowing before getting there that he didn’t want to cry, he couldn’t hold back the tears. “I’m stone. I’m flesh” (line 5), the speaker thought he was strong enough to see the names of all the people that died during the Vietnam War. However, saying that he is flesh, he shows that he is not cold, but is overwhelmed with emotion and starts crying. He sees that he is not strong

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