Worn-Out Wishes: A Found Poem from When the Emperor Was Divine

By Yassir Laaroussi
 As I paint it to you, it was World War II,

We moved from Japan to L.A.,

They called us “Immigrant” and we knew we were in imminent danger of being imprisoned    

“You have to come,” They told us, “All the Japanese have to come!”

So now we’re in a town with soldiers surrounding us,

Our hearts perceive nothing, day to day,

It was as if we were sailing a dull sea under a grey sky,

Our souls are miserable and dull,

Our country's pride spiraled into shame,

“Be as patient as a cactus,” They said,“ which through the rain, storm, and thunder, can remain”

No one can understand our pain,

Every one of us wishes for freedom beyond the bounds of camp,

But that’s just another one of our worn-out wishes.
 

The ELM

VT

YWP Instructor

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