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  • WAR is RAW Backward and Forward, and: My Immigrant Dad, On Voting
  • Naomi Shihab Nye (bio)

WAR is RAW Backward and Forward

as my father lay dying fighting raged across the perfectly pivoted TV screen in his hospital room

He turned his face away from the meal tray

waved goodbye to the untouched slab of beef

told us to plant his ashes in the ground

held a radio filled with classical music over his heart

and closed his eyes

My Immigrant Dad, On Voting

It didn’t mean much to me, no I didn’t know who was running No No I wasn’t sure what was behind it all [End Page 134] As a journalist I wrote what candidates said But I didn’t believe them No hardly ever No The people who got elected always seemed to be crooks Elections made me think though Once my friend ran for mayor and I felt excited I still don’t think voting is much of a thrill I know I know You do Jimmy Carter was the only one I trusted I wrote him a letter Said he was the best president I ever had

Naomi Shihab Nye

Naomi Shihab Nye’s most recent book is Honeybee.

“It was a great comfort, growing up in a somewhat offbeat and frequently argumentative household, to be part of a mysterious ‘Boomer generation.’ It sounded hopeful. It sounded energetic.”

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