Congratulations Dusty!
Winner of the 1999 Houston
Writers League Poetry
Chapbook Contest
|
Battle
Dressing: Poems about the Journey of a Nurse in Vietnam by Dusty
Congratulations Dusty! |
Battle Dressing traces the emotional journey of a Vietnam nurse. When you first meet Dusty, she's fresh and naive, sounding just like a sorority girl as she wonders, "What do you pack/To take to a war?" Next, she proceeds to fall in love with every mangled, morphined soldier who says something like, "You the first white woman ever touch me." Later, she's harder, aloof, and professional. She's also better at her job. And finally back in the States, she alternatively seems to be apologizing to an uncomprehending home front for the changes inside her--and flaunting them.
The 1999 Houston Writers League Poetry Chapbook Contest drew entries from around the world. First place, for Battle Dressing went to Dusty.
"As for technique, Dusty's got plenty of it, but she doesn't rely on finesse. Battle Dressing is kick-ass poetry.--The Houston Writer"
Battle Dressing is available for a total of $15, (includes postage and a $6 donation to the Illinois Women's Military and Civilian Memorial.) Also available through Amazon for a surcharge: $21.95 not including postage.
Please make your check payable to IVWM (NOT ME!) and send it to:
Illinois Women’s Military and Civilian Memorial
P. O. Box 519
Bloomington, IL 61702-0519
Include your name and address printed on a label or 3 x 5 piece of paper, which will be used as a mailing label. PLEASE also include your e-mail in case I have any questions.
Direct any questions to (the webmaster).
Praise for "Battle Dressing"
Some books make you think about Vietnam. Some books make you feel Vietnam. Some have the ability to make you see the war in all it's terror and horror. But "Battle Dressing" does something most Vietnam books don't do. "Battle Dressing" takes you to the only truth about the war and that is this: ultimately, the best Vietnam war stories are love stories. At it's heart, "Battle Dressing" isn't about a nurse and it isn't about Vietnam, it's about love: love bombs can't shatter and bullets can't kill. There is majesty, horror, heart-break and a sorrow beyond words in these poems. But there is also a love that is luminous and intense which will shine in your heart long after you finish these poems.
~Laura Palmer, author of Shrapnel in the Heart
Like the poems of fellow nurse Marilyn McMahon, Dana Shuster offers an unusual and powerful perspective on the Vietnam War.
--W. D. Ehrhart, editor Carrying the Darkness: the Poetry of the Vietnam War
The best poetry book of the
Vietnam War.
Dusty's poem "Hello David" is already considered a classic of the Vietnam War but this collection of her poems raises her to the level of the best of the Vietnam Poets. Reading this collection of her poems will open anyone's eyes to not only the Vietnam War Nurse's point of view but all Vietnam War Veterans. The collection is full of humor, love, fear, hate, dreams and memories. It takes the reader through the entire experience from going to Vietnam, being in Vietnam and returning from Vietnam during the War. This small collection covers every aspect of the war and is written by the hand of genius in using language. You won't find another book like this anywhere. Suitable for the whole family and easy and simple to read. A must for anyone interested in the 'Vietnam Experience'.
Superb,
and deeply moving, poetry
Dusty is easily the finest poet of the Vietnam War, and this is a wonderful way to experience a longer collection of her work. I highly recommend it!
-- Reviewer from NYC on Amazon
Waiting
I have not read this book yet, but am waiting anxiously till after the holidays for it. I have been greatly impressed by Dusty's other works. Her poetry can tear your heart apart. It has been very meaningful to me
--Reviewer from Cincinnati on Amazon
"What's a Chapbook?
In case the term is new to you, a poetry chapbook is a small collection of poems published in booklet form. Standard-size paper is used -- 8.5" x 11" folded in half, for a finished page size of 4.25" x 5.5". The booklet is secured by 2 staples at the spine (saddlestitched). Sometimes, a heavier paper is selected for the cover of the booklet.
A poetry chapbook has a title, usually has some type of illustration on the cover, a dedication in the front -- and may or may not have author information and photo at the back. Explanation courtesy of Shadyvale Press."
Return to Dusty's Poetry Index.
Return to Dusty's Home Page
My Vietnam Related Websites:
Women in
Vietnam ~ Not only nurses served . . .
Dusty's Home
Page ~ Poetry and prose by a woman who was a nurse in Vietnam
Emily's
Poetry ~ By a Red Cross Donut Dolly
Battle
Dressing ~ The Journey of a Nurse in Vietnam
Tim
O'Brien's Home Page ~ National Book Award Winner and Americal Vet
Shrapnel in
the Heart ~ The most moving book you will read on Vietnam
The
Irish on the Wall ~ An effort to locate the Irish who died in Vietnam
Project Hearts
and Minds ~ Help put Viet Nam back together
All About
Vietnam ~ An annotated bibliography of books about Vietnam for sale
thru Amazon Worldwide!
Photos
from a Holts' Military History Tour ~ My trip to Vietnam, February 1998
My Other Websites:
Chicago
Theatre Z - A ~ This is the best theater town in the country!
Literature
of the Korean War ~ Don't let the literature be forgotten
Poetry
of the First World War ~ Owen, Hardy and others
Samuel
Pepys ~ One of my favorite authors
Gil
Thorp ~ THE Coach
Maybe
Later . . . ~ My Creative Nonfiction
Chi-COW-go
~ Cowz plus Commentary (this used to be a cow town)
Graham
Fulton, Scottish Poet ~ Charles Manson Auditions for the Monkees
Soccer
Literature ~ I'm a fan and I read
O'Leary Lantern ~
Fire! Fire! Fire!
Other Important Websites:
Remember
Oklahoma City ~ Civil Service and Military Employees will never forget
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| Page last updated September 13, 2003 | |