by Benjamin White.
I was in Europe
To defend the West
From godless communists
Preparing to storm out
Of their red politics
And cross over bordered history
To claim a Soviet future.
She was born
In East Germany and knew
The policies and practices there
Would not hesitate
To operate and relieve her
Of her burden.
I was certain I knew
The black and white
Of right and wrong,
But my American principles
Were challenged,
My Kentucky eyes
Were opened,
And my military sights
Were targeted on questionable
Ideals of how to treat
And react to the rest
Of the world full
Of real people
With a shared
Human condition
And then
I began a life-long
Realization that borders
Are simply simple
Invisible lines
Of identity
Thrust upon individual images
And situational experiences.