Ghost Wars

by Vince Gotera, Vicente F Gotera

Winner of the 2004 Global Filipino Award for Poetry, Ghost Wars brings together sixteen new and previously published poems that work to understand the effects of war on all who are touched by it. As a Vietnam era veteran, as well as the grandson, son, and brother of combat veterans, Gotera writes from experience on the contradictory psychological demands made of soldiers. In Ghost Wars men in combat exist in the moment, capturing and being captured by the power of violence. But the individuals of war's aftermath live with the implications of their actions, struggling with an always-present past as they endeavor to carve out moments of understanding, of forgiveness, and of love.

Genres: Poetry

32 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2003

Reviews

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vince Gotera was my poetry professor in college, and his classes are the ones that inspired me the most. I was all set to pursue a creative writing masters until love and life got in the way, and some of the pieces I wrote in his classes I still go back and re-read today. Even 20 years later I talk about Vince and his ability to pull the very best out of his writing students.

This collection of war-themed poems--many from his actual experiences and those of his veteran family members--packs a powerful punch. Gotera was always so adept at writing in different poetical forms in class, and so many of them are on display here.

From World War II to Vietnam to 9/11 and the war in Afghanistan, Gotera pulls no punches when addressing violence and atrocities on both sides. The journey is a dark one (how could war poetry be anything but?), but Gotera's final poem--a love poem to his wife--leaves the reader with a smile all the same.