Waterman

Waterman,
Dutch liner
on which you made your passage-
Father,
smiling from the gangplank
hand raised, waving at your friend's
camera...
And all this, from my memories
of a black and white photo,
long lost.
And I remember also,
your stories of standing in line
there,
in Traiskirchen, Austria
you, just one of the many 
refugees processed.
And you told me that 
the longest lines
were to England and Canada,
the United States...
but that you, young and tired,
impatient
you stepped into a shorter line-
destination-
"Netherlands."
For three years you lived
in Rotterdam
before coming to
"America."
My memories too,
are of what I, a child
thought of as strange mementos-
kept in your desk,
a shaving kit,
letter opener,
fountain pen
and shoeshine brush
-your cherished gifts
from Queen Wilhelmina...
The eyes of the world
were upon you all-
Time magazine's
man of the year-
(1957)
an artist's rendering
-a composite
fiery -eyed,
in beret and topcoat
with rifle in hand
the brave defender
respected and welcomed...

So very different from today's world 
with its intolerance
and xenophobia
-its shameless shunning.