|
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
Maldición-Bendición
|
Fridays at Western Union
Fridays at Western Union
are the worst.
Sometimes you stand in line
for at least 15 minutes.
Men in scuffed work boots
& calloused hands
cage you in.
Once in awhile a Salvadoreño
or Cubano asks for help,
"Oye Coño, me puedes ayudar"
At the roof of your mouth
Your tongue pushes rr's
You once rolled as a kid.
His eyes blink brown
when you say, "I don't understand."
Unable to mouth words
your mother sang under
moons of pueblo earth
you turn towards game machines
& glimmering payphones
ashamed to speak English like the radio.
—by Radames Ortiz
GO TO TOP OF PAGE
|