Rohwer, Arkansas—
the middle of nowhere if you’re from Arkansas
the middle of ‘that’s a place’ if you’re not
Unremarkably flat and barren but for the
barracks that showed up one day
          Uninvited
Like your presence in the land of the free
home of the racist

You spent your childhood there—
your growing up years—
under the prying eyes of a
          Cracker
in a guard tower
and the watchful eye of his M1903

You achieved greatness despite the 1942
          Setback
Just ask Wikipedia
“Notable Internees”—like you did a
stint under the limelight while you were there
or something
Janice Mirikitani—poet laureate of
          San Francisco
and George Takei—he stole your name
Just a few of the camp’s claims to fame

They labeled you as
          Nisei
took away your father
sent your brothers off to fight—a
war against themselves
Worked your mother’s hands raw
refused you an
          Education
but offered manual labor in its place

In a world that saw you as only three letters
You showed them that
          Yellow
was just a color—a color to be
proud of
Just like your almond eyes and
your forgiving nature