The giant spruce trees lining the sides.

I am bottlebrush blooms,

messy and fun

I am cotton fabric,

soft yet strong

I’m from crisp morning walks

They leave me tired every time.

I’m from South Coast Plaza,

The wait is always worth the fun.

I am from those dusty paths

They smell like straw bales and horses.

I’m from soft radio static

And loud ones too

I am from relaxing music

Like the Genshin Impact soundtrack.

I’m from the neighborhood street

We go both up and down the hill.

I am from the dirty slope in the yard.

Picking slippery weeds in the hot summer sun.

That is where I was.

This is where I am.

There is where I want to be.

Hi, my name is Ren.  The conditions in these camps have worsened over the past few days.  The internment camps for Japanese Americans.  I’m American.  I don’t really know why I’m here.  My dad says it’s because I’m Japanese.  I’ve never been to Japan.  I asked why Japanese people were being sent here.  He told me that it was because we were spying on ourselves for the Japanese.  How could I do that?  I heard my parents arguing quietly about our rights when I went to bed.  It was easy to hear because we were in the same room.  Please get us out of here!  I remember in school, they taught us about the Bill of Rights.  The fourth amendment says that we can’t be taken from our homes without probable cause.  How can you tell that we are committing treason?  If you can’t get us out, then please improve the conditions.  It’s freezing at night, and sweltering in the afternoon.  The rice is never satisfactory, and the meal size isn’t large enough for some people.  There’s a hole in the ceiling, and it always rains.  The floor is rotting below the hole.  There’s nothing to do.  That’s why I’m writing this letter.  At least the air is crisp in the evening.  It’s never like that at home.  I can never enjoy it here though.  Please get us out of here.

Thank you for your time,

Ren