Detour

Travel Poems: Brothers returning from war

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The world was at war. And I too, battled.

Volunteered for a fight. For a place. For a land.

But upon my return is it my home?

Getting off the ship. Pointed to the below. Negroes that way.

The parades marched down every block but mine.

Uniform made to feel invisible.

Fighting. For a place. For a land.

But upon my return, is it my home?

The movie theaters weren’t for me to see.

The diners weren’t for me to eat.

The trains weren’t for me to travel

Fighting. For a place. For a land.

But upon my return, is it my home?

Through my sacrifices. I find home.

Through my travels. I know my home.

My people are my passport.

Jeff Dess is an editor for DETOUR, an award-winning educator, best-selling author and notable public speaker who specializes in the areas of Learning and Development and culturally responsive education. As a public speaker and facilitator Jeff has reached over 100,000 learners. Jeff is an author of six books. We Wear Kicks to Works is an Amazon best-seller, which further explores the intersection of pop culture, leadership, and education. For more email JeffDess@detourxp.com



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This story was originally published May 29, 2023 at 4:02 PM with the headline "Travel Poems: Brothers returning from war."

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