Growing up Gaijin (poem) by Alice J Wisler on AuthorsDen

Growing up Gaijin
by Alice J Wisler → (All Poetry by Alice J Wisler)
Rated "G" by the Author.

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Growing up in Asia...
Stale with cologne and hair tonic crowded trains rush through rice fields suited men absorbed in thick comic books I in bagging red tights and plaid skirt do not let the gray kimono ladies' frowns squelch my laughter among my blond-haired friends Stares and murmurings have grown up with me the street vendor awed when I purchase hot octopus and thank him in his native tongue I dream of the America I only know through The Partridge Family reruns dubbed in Japanese where Lincolns and Chevrolets cruise wide streets But when the mysterious motherland I visit, they ask nothing about hot bowls of noodles, deer at the temple or stuffy train rides to school A belly filled with Hershey chocolate and apple pie the envy of my blond-haired friends I count the days till Gaijin will be my name again. __________________________________________________________ about the poem: * Gaijin: Japanese word for foreigner. This poem was the winner of the Carolina Woman Writing Contest in NC in May 2001.

Reviewed by Susan Sonnen

Reviewed on June 4, 2009

I enjoyed this!

Reviewed by Regis Auffray

Reviewed on October 1, 2008

Interesting write. I appreciate your perspective, Alice. Thank you. Love and best wishes,

Regis

Reviewed by Samuel Stone

Reviewed on August 25, 2008

Good imagery in a well written piece... enjoyed reading your poem, wishing you well..
Sam

Reviewed by Karla Dorman, The StormSpinner

Reviewed on August 18, 2008

My Daddy lived in Japan for three years, and it always has held a fascination with me - beautifully imaged, this caught between cultures - domo arigato, Alice-san. =] Welcome to Author's Den, you're among friends.

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.

Reviewed by Mary Lacey Desertrat

Well written. It's hard to be caught in the wrong culture. You just want to go back to your own. Lovely poem.

Mary