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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

Copyright © Steven Young

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Book: Reflection on the Important Things