by Portia Choi
My head nestled on Mama's arm, and she told me about the war. Mama whispered, “Your face, just to see your face again, kept me walking. I was being pushed up a hill with other Christians. My wrists were tied in a rope. All I could do was pray. I remembered the verse in Romans: In all things look to God. And I witnessed to the soldier, that Jesus died for us, all of us, him too. Jesus had forgiven us, just believe in Him and His goodness. The soldier told me to be quiet. I just kept praying then humming, humming sweet hymns: Lord lead me onto higher grounds. The soldier became angry. We were at the tail-end of the group. At the top of the hill, the soldier told me to go down the hill quietly, and to run away fast. I heard later that some of the others were beaten and killed-- that soldier let me go”. I remember that time. Mama showed up after a long while. I remember her smile, tears, how she moved so slowly.
Portia Choi published a chapbook of her poems Sungsook, Korean War Poems. At Writers of Kern (WOK) meetings, Portia met other writers who became friends and mentors. She hosts First Friday Open Mic and publicizes National Poetry Month in April. She administers www.kernpoetry.com. Contact Portia at [email protected].