Vietnam Rain

Today, Hurricane Dennis is pouring much-needed rain over us. A mostly warm, drizzly kind of rain — rain like I have seen in every film I have ever seen about Vietnam.

Of course, I have never been to Vietnam, nor do I know anyone who has ever been there. So, whether this is actually anything at all like Vietnam rain ... I simply cannot say.

I do know that I will probably forever be somewhat haunted by and ever-so-slightly obsessed with anything having to do with Vietnam, and Cambodia, too, mainly because of the bits and pieces and flashes of memory that I have from watching the news, as a kid, and hearing the words that I could only attempt to visualize — as I do, with words, sometimes: I see them, which is part of the reason, I believe, that I am a good speller — and seeing the images of helicopters and jungles and soldiers and caskets.

And never any rain, actually, now that I think about it.