by David Mills

(The attack on Pearl Harbor inspired Harry Stewart Jr. to enlist in the military. The battleship USS Arizona was struck and sank on that same day in Pearl Harbor.) 

Sunday school lesson fresh in his December 
7th head, he passed huddled, kiss-close neighbors, 

their lips anchored to: the Japs attacked Pearl 
Harbor: offshore contusion for the country 

a plump pillow for his fatigued dream. Soon,  
in the Flushing High Library, he’d eye- 

ball a magazine article: Army’d 
train Negro Flying Unit. Stewart’s fuel. 

Weeks later, swaybacked ships, two thousand souls
  wallpapered Harry’s thoughts. At a recruiting
    station, he belted out he wanted in. 

   Their—seventeen is too young! —waylaid him. 
 Sunk, Harry left: not knowing his was on-
ly a momentary Arizona.  

Poem copyright 2025 by David Mills. All rights reserved.

See more poems from David Mills on The Fight & The Fiddle: “Dear… Sincerely…,” and “Up Up And… (The Speed Boy interlude)”

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Read more in this issue: Interview | Critical Essay | Writing Prompt