different but not so different

There’s a war on
in my land of origin
not mine exactly
but my way way back
it wasn’t kind
to my way way backs
it was cruel with dark woods
and soldiers killing   
us because we were us
but still I see and think
a link to those way way backs
as if I showed up now
I would recognize
a soup
and a cake
and know the word for peace.

.

Ruth Lehrer is a Pushcart-nominated poet and author of the young adult novel, BEING FISHKILL. She can be found at ruthlehrer.com