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225th Virtual Poetry Circle

Welcome to the 225th Virtual Poetry Circle!

Remember, this is just for fun and is not meant to be stressful.

Keep in mind what Molly Peacock’s books suggested. Look at a line, a stanza, sentences, and images; describe what you like or don’t like; and offer an opinion. If you missed my review of her book, check it out here.

Also, sign up for the 2013 Dive Into Poetry Challenge because its simple; you only need to read 1 book of poetry. Check out the stops on the 2013 National Poetry Month Blog Tour and the 2012 National Poetry Month Blog Tour.

Today’s poem is from Juan Delgado from A Rush of Hands:

Diapers

INS officers raided a building, taking twelve illegal aliens
into custody. The owner was cited for employing workers
without proper identification.

1. RAID

Ernesto’s boot heels are wild hooves
Being roped in, left bound in the air.
Carmen, slow-footed, nauseous with child,
Fights them off by swinging her purse.
“Pinche cabrones saben hablar español
Cuando nos van a arrestar,” she says
As her voice is drowned out by a row
Of washing machines on their rinse cycle.
Like a cat spooked out of a trash bin,
Sal runs into the street.

Chorus: ¡Chingado!

2. A GIRL AND HER FATHER

We were driving through town, Mama,
Right by where people pick up the bus
When this man jumps out right in front of us.
Dad hit the brakes. His eyes got this big, Mama.

He was running from the law, that’s for sure.
Just be glad no one got hurt, mija.
Try not to think about it anymore, mija.
We won’t go that way again, that’s for sure.

3. THE FACTORY

Two of the old-timers talked about unions:
“A trabajar, porque hablar de las uniones
Sólo trae la migra de nuevo.”

4. A YOUNG MOTHER

Can you imagine how many diapers
We went through with the twins?
The disposable ones were way too expensive,
So we switched to cloth. They were great. No,
We didn’t wash them. Thank God, we had a service.
We just put the dirty ones in plastic bags,
And they picked them up and dropped off clean ones
Right on our porch every two weeks.
It made things so much easier. And you know,
We didn’t have to worry about those summer rashes
Because their little bottoms could breathe better.
If you can afford the service, just do it.
Or at least do it for the first six months.
It’s even good for the environment.

5. JEFE

No son gallinas
Esperando un huevo.
¡A trabajar!

Chorus: ¡Chingado!

What do you think?

Comments

  1. I like narrative poems like this, and the subject matter of this one is very timely.