Beneath this whimsical anecdote lies an allegory for the strained relations between the US and its so-called allies, including Canada. In the story, a powerful bully arbitrarily decides who gets certain rights based on unearned privileges. While our roadtrippers were deemed acceptable, so many are not, and we must continue to hold a light to the struggle against this form of injustice. Like strange friends, we must tolerate each other despite our differences, and strive for peace, as tenuous it may be.
Published in the online literary journal Heimat Review, whose name means “home.” More than a house or city, heimat is a place of being, of presence, and reflection. It is the moment in time when you are invited to ask “where am I” or “where should I be”? In this vein, it offers readers a vibrant way to explore where we come from, where we are, and where we hope to be.
