Steven Young Poet Free verse

How Dad Learned To Play

Dad was a great piano player
Grandpa Luther was a great man
He burned his wife’s Bible 
In 1942, when Colorado farmers
Decided all Germans and Japanese
Threatened them
My grandmother 
Got another Bible 
English version 
She didn’t have to hide
Governor Ralph Lawrence Carr
Was a great man, too
The only one who stood for
The rights of Japanese
–Americans– just like he
Said, “if you harm them
You must harm me.”
Thanks to Governor Ralph
Ito
My grandpa’s neighbor 
Remained free 
When his haystack was burned
He would not accept charity
So grandpa accepted his trade
Ito’s piano for grandpa’s hay
And that's how Dad
Learned to play

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Linda Alice Fowler December 6, 2022 at 8:48 AM A touching story well-penned Steven! laf Steven Young December 6, 2022 at 4:35 PM Thank you, Linda :)

L Milton Hankins December 5, 2022 at 10:44 AM Steven, this is a delightful story, well-told, and so meaningful as a tribute to a man who stood by his principles. Steven Young December 5, 2022 at 11:07 AM Thanks, Milt. My father told me stories about his Japanese American neighbors in Colorado during WWII. One day I put two and two together--how did they escape internment? That's how I found Gov. Carr, a true American hero, vastly overlooked in history. I think American should hold him up high as an example of what we all should be... every kid in school should know Gov. Carr.

David Bose December 5, 2022 at 10:19 AM Well, this is wonderful ... simple statements of fact to weave a picture, not only of a dark aspect of our history, but of characters rising above it. My own family dropped "von" from its name during World War I. I like the flow of your words, they slip right off the tongue. Nicely done--Dave Steven Young December 5, 2022 at 11:16 AM Thank you, Dave. I have a deep regard for Gov. Carr and just wanted to get him out there. I don't think he's received his deserved place in history, but I'm only just finding out about him. Thanks again for the read and the comment!