Army Brat

1948-1962

I come from long trips
in ships across oceans
on storm-tossed, winter waters
ships filled with mothers
and children on their way to join
husbands and fathers on Army posts
in Italy, Germany, Japan.

I come from children who cling to dolls
or teddy bears and tiny suitcases
who follow like ducklings behind their mothers
while herded in groups like sheep
to catch trains, buses, planes in airports
with groaning wooden escalators

children who change schools
every three years but never
get used to the first-day terrors
of new classrooms
and staring strangers,
children who must reach inside
then push beyond themselves
to find what it takes to fit in.

I come from children who prepare
to say goodbye far too soon after arriving
and way too long before leaving.