Summary Of Facing It By Yusef Komunyakaa

Trauma has a continuous impact worldwide, with nearly everyone experiencing some form of trauma at some point in their life. Fortunately, the growing commonality and knowledge of trauma has led to trauma being better accepted and acknowledged. The poem “Facing It” tells the story of a Vietnam War veteran, Yusef Komunyakaa, who visited the Vietnam War Memorial fifteen years after his service. Although this poem focuses specifically on Komunyakaa’s trauma from war, it can resonate with anyone who has experienced a traumatic event. In “Facing It”, Yusef Komunyakaa describes his encounter with facing the past to illustrate the physical and emotional effects of trauma.

The author of this poem, Yusef Komunyakaa, contributed to this interview, explaining
As he looks at the names, Komunyakaa sees his reflection in the memorial. His reflection is used “to create an illusion of depth behind the surface of the stone—- [to] provide Komunyakaa with a striking image of the troubling depths of memory" (Martin). The reflection creates a ghostly double version of the narrator, symbolizing that he lost part of himself in the war. Komunyakaa said that while standing before the memorial he was “half-expecting to see his name” (Komunyakaa). This helps readers understand the substantial impact trauma can have on a person. Those who have experienced war-related trauma may struggle to live with survivor guilt. They may also feel alienated from themselves and feel like a different person after a war or any other traumatic event. The narrator's ghostly reflection is also used to “underline his own incapacity to reach emotional resolution concerning his war experience” (Ruby 108). Denial and not wanting to accept reality is shown throughout the poem. The poet has trouble accepting that all these people have died, and he has the desire to erase the names and bring the dead back to life (Marvin). Overall, this double version of the poem displays the trauma symptom of not recognizing yourself. Furthermore, it captures the struggle of accepting and making peace with the