“What Do I Remember of the Evacuation?”
A poem by Joy Kogawa

"What do I remember of the evacuation?
I remember my father telling Tim and me
About the mountains and the train
And the excitement of going on a trip.
What do I remember of the evacuation?
I remember my mother weeping
A blanket around me and my
Pretending to fall asleep so she would be happy
Though I was so excited I couldn’t sleep
(I hear there were people herded
Into Hastings Park like cattle.
Families were made to move in two hours
Abandoning everything, leaving pets
And possessions at gun point.
I hear families were broken up
Men were forced to work. I heard
It whispered late at night
That there was suffering) and
I missed my dolls.

What do I remember of the evacuation?
I remember Miss Foster and Miss Tucker
Who still live in Vancouver
And who did what they could
And loved the children and who gave me
A puzzle to play with on the train.
And I remember the mountains and I was
Six years old and I swear I saw a giant
Gulliver of Gulliver’s Travels scanning the horizon
And when I told my mother she believed it too
And I remember how careful my parents were
Not to bruise us with bitterness
And I remember the puzzle of Lorraine Life
Who said “Don’t insult me” when I
Proudly wrote my name in Japanese
And Tim flew the Union Jack
When the war was over but Lorraine
And her friends spat on us anyway
And I prayed to God who loves
All the children in his sight
That I might be white."

Actually, a metaphor doesn’t COMPARE two unlike things. It EQUATES two unlike things. It describes one thing by calling it something else — "My girlfriend is a jewel." "Those unkind words were a slap in the face."

A simile compares two unlike things. It describes one thing by saying, not that it IS something else, but that it resembles something else in some way — "She runs like the wind." "He’s as dumb as a bag of dirt."

So the poem uses a simile when it compares the treatment of people to the treatment of cattle. It uses a metaphor when it says that bitterness (which is mental or emotional attitude) is a physical object that can inflict a bruise.

(The mention of Gulliver might be a metaphor. Obviously the child didn’t literally see a giant. But I’m not sure what she did see or imagine. So I can’t say what the metaphor might be. Maybe she’s saying that a mountain is a giant human figure?)

It is joyous when families arrange to gather together for a dinner, attend church, or partake in traditional family customs (decorating, cooking family recipes, making ornaments, singing christmas carols, etc).

Christmas is a holiday where family members will fly, drive and come together just to spend that one special day as oppose to other holidays (other than Easter, Anniversaries,etc).

Gifts are not required, when actually the real gift is spending quality time with your loved ones.

Jhn 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
Jhn 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Knowing that you are on the path God gives you is very satisfying. Meditate on the life of Christ.

2Cr 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

I understand that "broken people" minister to "broken people", is there ever a time when we no longer need this lesson? ;0))

I am sure we can always use it if not to keep us humble, as Paul had his thorn in his flesh. Also, If we are ever aware of our sin. if we constantly critisize our actions, ourselves and are not blind to our sin, then we confess that to God, He doesn’t need to send the smack down on us. He only (most of time) sends us trials when we grow lax in our pursuit to reign over our flesh. But, I willingly suffer for trials and hardships in hopes that I can assume some responsibility for my sin and the pain and suffering that Christ endured on my behalf.

The KJV is "In your patience possess ye your souls." Luke 21:19

(In your patience you will possess your souls) ?

Since the trying of our faith produces patience, and this faith of Christ is full of Joy unspeakable and full of glory, is this also what it means to be "receiving the END of your faith, even the salvation of your souls" ?

Isn’t it amazing that both the Apostle Peter, and the Apostle James speak of Joy and rejoicing in the midst of our faith’s trial, so that Patience may have her perfect work in us?

Wherein ye GREATLY REJOICE, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations: (Isn’t that very similar to James saying, "Count it ALL JOY when you fall into various temptations"?)
That the trial of your faith, being MUCH MORE PRECIOUS than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
RECEIVING the end of your faith, EVEN the salvation of YOUR SOULS.
1 Peter 1:6-9

"KNOWING THIS, that the trying of your faith works PATIENCE!" James 1:3

In light of Beloved James’ message concerning what "works patience", (the trying of our faith) is Beloved Peter expounding here upon Jesus’ foundation words, "In your patience you will possess your souls" ?

Bonus Q: Since the trial of our faith, "though it be tried with fire", is undergoing a refining and purifying process, what is our faith being purified from?….What is the dross here, which must be plucked out? Could it be the confidence that we after the flesh (in our natural man) ?

I ask this, for this spiritual refining appears to also be very similar to our spiritual circumcision, where faith is concerned.

" For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have NO CONFIDENCE in the flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ." Philippians 3:3-7

What are your sincere thoughts on these things dearly beloved truth seeker ?
Much love to you and to all! : )
(((Lowly:))) thank you dear brother….good answer : )

"By your patience possess your souls",is so very KEY to the successful christian walk. Impatience is one of the leading causes of rejection of Christianity by millions,because they want short-term now things, over long-term future rewards. It takes patience to have self-control ,forgiveness, perseverence,humility ,and the patience required to do lots of Bible studying. An impatient person does not possess or control their soul ;their soul is possessed by the so-called demons of anger,greed,revenge, impatience, hatred, doubt, and self-caused-ignorance/blindness.

The Joy of the Lord comes from having the Holy Ghost. The HG does not lead one to partake of idol worship.

Their pretending this is the birthday of Jesus, is only an excuse to keep on with their ungodly worship of Baal.