As any child
Born in 1938
I knew nothing
of the world around me
My circle began with Mom
I cared nothing about war
My neighbors were my friends
Nightly sirens disturbed my sleep
My crying disturbed my Father
The Japanese enemies would hear me
Six foot nine he was a coward
The country needed him he hid from duty
Grandpa entered my circle at about five
He preached loving thy enemy
I had heard Socialists and Commies were bad
My Grandpa was none of that he loved his neighbors
So at night the enemy after dark came to our door
They were Americans just like us
They had babies who needed milk and food
Grandpa gave freely as I watched
As a child I learned to use a ledger
Yamada milk and eggs Ivan oil for his car
They hugged me and I played with their children
But soon they no longer came to our door
As an adult I learned of enternment camps
Treated as the enemy my friends and neighbors
We preach forgiveness their story should be told