Cover and
Copyright Page

Marisol,
Iguana Woman

Man of Steel

Todos Colgados

Fridays
at Western Union

Grave Revelation

Celulistas

Cubreviento

Preludio
a Nezahualcoyotl

Sometimes
They Can Read Lips

Already She Knows

Already She Knows

(Quito, Ecuador; 1997)

Bare bottom against cold stony pavement, 
soiled dress covering her poorly,
she watches feet pass by her
at street-child eye level.
She senses the power of Nike strides,
sees foreign glamour in logos
she'll never read;
sees how flashy, buckled straps,
pumiced heels and painted toes

mark the feet of her own mother
callused. 	Through vacant hours
she plays with pebbles	or nothing;
watches for what little may be given her
from what is begged for or cast aside.

Already she knows
how not to expect
her due.


                               —by Karen Louise Enyedy