Memories

guangdong

my daughter’s grandpa

as a young boy

japanese soldiers

ransack the home

hide

be still

a soldier defecates

on the kitchen table

I’m so naive

I’m so lucky

13 thoughts on “Memories”

Kozo says: February 18, 2013 at 3:09 pm

I am a Japanese American married to a Chinese/Taiwanese American. I have heard these stories as well. Nanking being the worst. Although I had nothing to do with these incidents being an American who was born after the war, I can relate since I was raised with the same racist views that caused these injustices. I work daily to root out the racism in my psyche. This poem reminds me that my children have grandparents who also suffered at the hands of racism. It also reminds me of how lucky we are to live in post-civil rights America. Thank you for sharing.

Geo Sans says: February 18, 2013 at 5:16 pm

thank you Kozo

~

listening to stories

from others

I’ve realized how lucky

I am

to be so naive

~

I’ve also realized

how hard

it is

to understand

~

thankfully my daughter’s grandpa

does not cling to racist thoughts

he understands war

people

and forgiveness

Reply

kelihasablog says: February 19, 2013 at 1:44 am

Sounds to me like your daughter has a true gift in her grand-father! Take lots of pictures and have them make many memories. I treasure the few I have of my grand-father. :D

Geo Sans says: February 19, 2013 at 2:05 am

he truly is

a gift

~

thanks for the

kind comment

Reply

fairytaleepidemic says: February 19, 2013 at 5:16 am

I can partially understand this, as my parents went through the Khmer Rouge. Me being born in a refugee camp changes my perspective in some ways. The things my parents have gone through to get me here to the US speaks volumes, and an appreciation that I am unable to give back.

Geo Sans says: February 19, 2013 at 9:05 am

my friend in college

was from Laos

his family spent 4 years

in a refugee camp together

~

his father passed away

a few years ago

and he shared so many

touching survival stories

~

I’ll never truly comprehend

how blessed I’ve been

Reply