Song of the 100th/442nd
"The Liberation of Dachau"

Burning steel and rat-a-tat fire,
crossing streams and fording mires,
lost battalions found inspired
by the sad forsaken ones.

They did cross the guarded gates
(and inside thousands told to wait).
Breaking ranks they crossed the lines,
and cracked the lock upon the door.

Inside horrors seared their sight
with ragged bones decayed in strife.
Hunger strained upon the skin,
of those that crawled and sprawled within.

Back at home their lives in wait
families bucked against the gates
that white men had in lies conspired
to hide blue skies behind barbed wire.

Many died in pains untold
replaced with medals, vaunted bold.
Yet time does not reveal the plight
of sacrifice and freedom's blight.

 

© Ryan Masaaki Yokota

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