All Nonfiction
- Bullying
- Books
- Academic
- Author Interviews
- Celebrity interviews
- College Articles
- College Essays
- Educator of the Year
- Heroes
- Interviews
- Memoir
- Personal Experience
- Sports
- Travel & Culture
All Opinions
- Bullying
- Current Events / Politics
- Discrimination
- Drugs / Alcohol / Smoking
- Entertainment / Celebrities
- Environment
- Love / Relationships
- Movies / Music / TV
- Pop Culture / Trends
- School / College
- Social Issues / Civics
- Spirituality / Religion
- Sports / Hobbies
All Hot Topics
- Bullying
- Community Service
- Environment
- Health
- Letters to the Editor
- Pride & Prejudice
- What Matters
- Back
Summer Guide
- Program Links
- Program Reviews
- Back
College Guide
- College Links
- College Reviews
- College Essays
- College Articles
- Back
Chicago Born Hawaiian Grown
Born in a place I scarcely knew,
where towering skyscrapers had me feeling miniscule.
A father deployed clouded my thoughts at school,
longing for the brief phone calls ending with “I miss you.”
Bound for Hawaii I later flew,
to be reunited with the voice saying “I miss you too.”
On the flight my anticipation grew,
to see the one man I looked up to.
Once arrived my life began,
suitcase and model airplane grasped in my hand.
I see the man with the red VW van,
to him, my siblings and I impatiently ran.
On hot summer days we’d head to the beach,
holding on to the hand I could hardly reach.
“We’re living the dream” my dad preached,
as we watch the humpback whales offshore breach.
Each day I learn and grow,
not a thought wasted on Chicago’s dull and freezing snow.
Over Hickam Air Force Base a ground-shaking airshow,
influencing the path I wanted to go.
Eight years later the adventures over,
tears in my eyes trying to hold my composure.
I watch the last F-15’s flyover,
watching my island go by, I try to find closure.
Similar Articles
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
This article has 0 comments.