ORCHIDS FOR THE MEKONG DELTA copyright by Michael Forbus The Fight by Miguel Forbus The last night Michael was whole in front of Cherie he got into an argument with his young girlfriend. They were getting ready for the prom and he had a little too much bourbon with his dad. Pop gave him the Caddilac for the night and rich ass that he was, he let the police know hands off the Caddy. So we had more then one tumbler of Maker's Mark. We were talking about my enlisting and the war in Nam. He was a retired Master Sargeant from the paratroopers, and a hero of the 101st Airborne. He had a chest full of medals and was a warmonger. I was drafted. Had a bad time in college where I met Cherie. We had argued because she had a dream that I had a bad time in Nam. I tried to talk her out of the dream but she was crying and arguing about my going in the morning. I finally loaded up in the Coupe de Ville and sped out. I kept up on the jug of Makers I had and by dawn's early light I was leaning over the steering wheel over the bank of the bayou, jug in one hand and Orchid in the other. My head hurt like bombs going off and I was dry and sad. I dropped the Caddy off and without saying goodbye, I got to walking to town. Got a truck ride and barely spoke a word to the farmer up the road. Nice to get a ride. When I got to the bus to take me to Camp Pendleton, I was coming around. Still stinking though. Short version, I placed first in my platoon in sharpshooting, I was always shooting as a kid with my dogs, and first in my platoon for damn near everything. Since I didn't go to officer's school, they moved me up to the highest NCO they could and quick. Then they shipped me off to the Mekong to shoot the yellow man who wasn't looking. I still had a heart of hate and didn't mind taking a bunch of Cong out. I couldn't even feel it in my soul. A part of me died each time I shot, cause I didn't miss. One day, I lit a smoke and didn't see the wire in front of me. I was thinking about Prom Night. Lost both my legs to the thighs and stayed in the swamp for 2 days dying. They finally found me and against my wishes they saved me from deaths jaws. Sent me home and I been laying in the guest house with a nurse washing my behind ever since. Today I pulled out a book by Pablo Neruda and inside the book was the dry orchid for Ma Cherie. I cried for myself and her. She couldn't bring herself to see me like I was. Pretty damn morose. I took my .45 down and broke it down and oiled it, wiped it and did it in record time and tasted the barrel again, as I did everyday. Today I got as close to it as I could, but the Orchid saved me. I saw some degree of courage in the dry and old flower with its lovely lavender ribbon. I still clean my pistol everyday as a soldier should but I no longer try and eat the barrel. copyright by Michael Forbus
36 Comments
Anonymous Guest 12 Nov 2010
the image is outstanding and the story heart wrenching.... from just a girl in the world... the Canadian world.... what an angel you are: such talent; such skills.... never stop....Gerrie Olly 16 Nov 2007
Take a man and put him alone, put him 12,000 miles from home. Empty his heart of all his blood, make him live and sweat in the mud. This is the life we have to live and why my soul to the devil I'll give. You peace boys in your easy chair do not know what's it's like over here. You have a ball without really trying while over here the boys are dying. Burn you draft cards march at dawn, plant your flags on the white house lawn. You all want to ban the bomb their is no war in Vietnam. Use your drugs have your fun then refuse to take a gun. Am I suppose to die for you. I 'll hate you till the day I die you made me hear my buddy cry. It's a large price he had to pay, not to live no ot another day. He had the guts to fight and die, he paid the price what did he buy. Author Unknown, Ann Landers column 1970. Broke my heart my when I read this. I remember... I memorized this. Hope you don't me sharing it here. God Bless You Michael! xoxoxDarlene Bayne 04 Nov 2007
The orchids are equisite and your art work is really fantastic. This is really outstanding digital painting.Federica Bentivoglio 04 Nov 2007
Wonderful colours and great artwork!Hui Zhu 02 Nov 2007
W^o^W love the colors...so beautiful, excellent art workdebbie collier 13 Oct 2007
Beautifully done!!! Awesome colors!!Patty Day 31 Jan 2007
Beautifully done!!Carrie Ann Watson 29 Jan 2007
My heart aches for you Miguel! I am glad you are past the worst! Beautiful flower! I love to see you writing again, I have missed it terribly! :)Mary Ashton 29 Jan 2007
Bold, bright and very beautiful Miguel and what a wonderful storyteller you are. MaryKarim Bouchnak 29 Jan 2007
These colours a really fantastic ;Lauren Munger 29 Jan 2007
This is a beautiful image, Miguel!! So passionate.Nira Dabush 29 Jan 2007
Miguel this is SO FANTASTIC...DREAMY IMAGE..LOVE IT Absolutely...MAGICAL!!!Janet Gioffre Harrington 28 Jan 2007
very dimensional and beautiful, MiguelDanielle McLemore 28 Jan 2007
its beautiful. the colors are so vivid and blend so well together.jamie winter 28 Jan 2007
I agree with Olga, One word. BEAUTIFUL. jamieSusan Chasteen 27 Jan 2007
Vibrant and beautiful Michael! Nice job!bianca 27 Jan 2007
this is just to beautoful wow...Blue Doll 27 Jan 2007
The orchid is the most beautyfull and delicate flowet I know...... this is all come true in your design well donesharon hendrickson 27 Jan 2007
I don't know which is better, your story or the pretty flower that you have presented here. I often wonder if it is courage or the stubborn will to carry on in this world , that keeps us motivated . Whatever it is, I can think of at least 6 good reasons not to end my life, I can see there is certainly one for you :) Excellent on all accounts my friend !!~******~!!Joanna Jungjohann 27 Jan 2007
WOW!!!! I am a sucker for PURPLE!!! and this rocks my world! thanks!!Olga van Dijk 27 Jan 2007
B E A U T I F U L !!--I'll be in New York for the weekend to help my daughter with moving into an other apartmentJerry 27 Jan 2007
Brilliant colors and style!Steve Farr 26 Jan 2007
Wow,...I can hardly get my comment out on how unbelievably beautiful this image is for thinking of the incredible story that goes along with it, Michael!! Take care! ^_^BySilent 26 Jan 2007
Eating a round is not where it is at.... Camp Pendelton I do remember humping those hills .... Smokey and Mount Mother... two that are etched in my soul as well as other places long time dead and buried. Semper Fi JarheadLoredana 26 Jan 2007
STUNNING MICHAEL LOVE ITmonique cooper 26 Jan 2007
How Beautiful!!!!!!!.. stunning work dear freind!!Amy Jordan 26 Jan 2007
Absolutely stunning!Emily Reed 26 Jan 2007
JUST SO BRILLIANT AND BEAUTIFUL, MIGUEL!Sara Deutsch 26 Jan 2007
Luscious colors! Surreal beauty...Tom and Susan Repasky 26 Jan 2007
A story of truth and courage, of life and denial, very beautifully written, and very well read!! Wonderful job on it Miguel, along with the exquisite floral to accompany it!! Excellent work on both parts!! ~SLinda Jade Charles 26 Jan 2007
HOly God. Beautiful, soulful, heavy, intense God Bless the beauty of the flowers to offest the deep...Anonymous Guest 26 Jan 2007
HOly God. Beautiful, soulful, heavy, intense God Bless the beauty of the flowers to offest the deep...Lucia Stewart 26 Jan 2007
So bright and so pretty!!!Awesome composition!bert cortes 26 Jan 2007
Beautiful digital work, Michael.joan warburton 26 Jan 2007
Beautiful image, very sad story.thea walstra 26 Jan 2007
Excellent and very beautiful work Miguel