American

I bought comic books in the same drugstore as your children,

celebrated the first man on the moon,

while eating freeze dried ice cream.

I’ve always wanted to travel in a silver airstream

to see the Grand Canyon,

carry a pistol like the Lone Ranger.

Why can’t an Indian be my best friend?

 

Because I pick sushi off of a plate with my fingers,

and sometimes admire Satsuma vases

through the antique store window.

I can’t wear a button that tells you

“I am Chinese” -

my button is shaped like an American flag.

Reviews

[emmajoy]

We are who we are whilst we have all the facial features.. the whereabouts, the history, is just baggage. You write in a gently analytical way, no frills, no insecurities. You're the being before the words, the precisely laid phrases and words show the way to sincerity.. great!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yesterday was then, today is now...and people who live today aren't responsible for what ancestors did...i did not slaughter native americans to call this land "our land" and yet i still feel remorse for what my ancestors did back then...
we wear that American flag button...but sometimes it does come with some shame, even when there is much proud-ness too.

love the descriptions you use in this...we all need our Tonto!

jacob

[Tarand]

Wow, Neo. This is really reminiscent of the novel Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. I can imagine this Japanese person not able to wear the "I am Chinese" button, and being mistreated by people thinking this person is an immigrant and not a second, third, fourth - generation Japanese-American.
Look at all the things this person has done in their lifetime - all the "real American" events they've participated in. They are truly part of the country, and now their worth is diminished based on things that people from their ancestors' homeland have done.
Makes me wonder exactly what it takes to be an American and be accepted. Surely this country was built on more than the White-Anglo-Saxon-Protestants, but I think we tend to forget that sometimes. Good job. :)

[Neo]

There are many things I like about you, and being able to so fully understand my poetry is one of them. :)