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Wed 25 Aug, 2004 10:31 pm
Hello everyone! Has anyone heard of Mitsuye Yamada? She is a Japanese American poet and wrote a book of poetry called "Camp Notes and other writings" I was wondering if anyone has wrote anything about any of her poems. I need help in choosing a poem from her and do a close reading of it. I need to write an arguementive essay.
Thanks for your help!
To The Lady by Mitsuye Yamada
Hi
I was wondering if you have read this poem by Yamada. I am writing a paper and would to hear your thoughts.
Thanks
TO THE LADY by Mitsuye Yamada
The one in San Francisco who asked:
Why did the Japanese Americans let
the government put them in
those camps without protest?
Come the think of it I
should've run off to Canada
should've hijacked a plane to Algeria
should've pulled myself up from my
bra straps
and kicked ?'m in the groin
should've bombed a bank
should've tried self-immolation
should've holed myself up in a
woodframe house
and let you watch me
burn up on the six o'clock news
should've run howling down the street
naked and assaulted you at breakfast
by AP wirephoto
should've screamed bloody murder
like Kitty Genovese
Then
YOU would've
come to my aid in shining armor
laid yourself across the railroad track
marched on Washington
tattooed a Star of David on your arm
written six million enraged
letters to Congress
But we didn't draw the line
anywhere
law and order Executive Order 9066
social order moral order internal order
You let'm
I let'm
All are punished
Wow, that's powerful, almost breathtaking.
Hotmail590, have you googled this poet? I'm sure you would find numerous poems to pick from for your paper. This should be an interesting assignment. Please come back after you've written the essay and tell us which poem you chose.
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