Thomas Catterson was published in Medicinial PurposesLiterary Magazine edited by Robert Dunn out of New York City in the 1990’s. Robert is deceased as is Thomas, but Performance Poets Association (Cliff Blidner and James Romano), may be of assistance.
I will reach out to James when l return from Toronto in May, and see if we can track down the poem, “Little Sister”.
The most memorable poem of Thomas Catterson is called “Little Sister”. Tom was in Vietnam, one of the few l knew and certainly the only poet l knew who served in the military during those dreadful years.
This poem is a description of his decision to take the life of a 12-year old who was a Vietcong whom he faced in mortal combat.
Everyone else l knew had managed to stay out of the service, but Catterson’s poem is the most profound depiction of the personal conflict faced by soldiers. He survived, she did not.
Thank you for this comment. Would you be kind enough to to the poem here for other readers? I think that it would be beneficial to many. Thank you again.
That poem is long gone, published more than twenty years ago by a small independent press.
But the key element here is that it was written and read by an American veteran who realized its worth and shared it as his signature piece every time he read publicly.
The conscience of a soldier whose government permitted young men to kill or be killed and glorified murder, only to neglect their needs when they returned, home broken.
“Little Sister” a poem by Thomas Catterson, gone but not forgotten!
I am glad that you remember it and made me aware of Catterson. We I catch up on my doctoral project backlog I am going to a deep dive to see what I can find.
Beautiful. Thank you. (P.S. I hope that your recovery continues, and that your healing is complete.)
Thomas Catterson was published in Medicinial PurposesLiterary Magazine edited by Robert Dunn out of New York City in the 1990’s. Robert is deceased as is Thomas, but Performance Poets Association (Cliff Blidner and James Romano), may be of assistance.
I will reach out to James when l return from Toronto in May, and see if we can track down the poem, “Little Sister”.
Thank you for this information. This is helpful. Have a great weekend.
The most memorable poem of Thomas Catterson is called “Little Sister”. Tom was in Vietnam, one of the few l knew and certainly the only poet l knew who served in the military during those dreadful years.
This poem is a description of his decision to take the life of a 12-year old who was a Vietcong whom he faced in mortal combat.
Everyone else l knew had managed to stay out of the service, but Catterson’s poem is the most profound depiction of the personal conflict faced by soldiers. He survived, she did not.
Thank you for this comment. Would you be kind enough to to the poem here for other readers? I think that it would be beneficial to many. Thank you again.
That poem is long gone, published more than twenty years ago by a small independent press.
But the key element here is that it was written and read by an American veteran who realized its worth and shared it as his signature piece every time he read publicly.
The conscience of a soldier whose government permitted young men to kill or be killed and glorified murder, only to neglect their needs when they returned, home broken.
“Little Sister” a poem by Thomas Catterson, gone but not forgotten!
Babette,
I am glad that you remember it and made me aware of Catterson. We I catch up on my doctoral project backlog I am going to a deep dive to see what I can find.
Thank you again, and have a wonderful weekend.
Peace,
Steve