The poem "Facing it" by Yusef Komunyakaa was recited by Brandan Emanual Wellington. Once the play button was pushed I was immediately drawn in by his confidence and voice. He added a haunting sorrow to the tone in his voice and it gives the listener goose bumps. Brandan's dramatization was remarkable. He was telling the audience the story and showing movements, actively involving the audience in the poem. Without a doubt, he clearly understood the meaning of the poem by his confident air and his voice. While Brandan recited the poem you saw the emotions expressed in his facial features and within his tone; it revealed the emotional meaning behind the poem. Part way through the poem I was ignorant to the fact that I was sitting at my house; I felt as if I were "in" the actions within the poem. By the end of the poem I longed to hear Brandan recite more peotry.
The meaning behind "Facing it" is not a pleasant, happy poem, as can be told by Brandan's voice that was, through out the recitation, sad and bone chilling. The poem simply told the truth behind war and the hardships of life; many sacrifices are made whether they are bad or good. The event most focused on was the Vietnam War. In fact, the author/speaker places us at the site of the Vietnam Memorial and describes the names scribed into the marble representing the many lost lives. At this time Brandan's voice had a ring of regret and longing to change what had happened. Many times throughout life you will regret the decisions you make, but you must live with them; that's the truth. You can't go back in time and change what has already been done; learn from what has happened.
