In the poem "Facing It," Yusef Komunyakaa, an African-American, solemnly reflects over his experience serving in the Vietnam War while on a visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. ... The central theme of the poem is clearly evident from the beginning lines: My black face fades, hiding inside the black granite. ... As the poem progresses, Komunyakaa struggles to contain his emotions as his past trials come back to life through a series of flashbacks. With deft application of literary devices, Komunyakaa allows the reader to receive an insight into how the long-lasting effects of war can...

• Word Count: 1041
• Approx Pages: 4