1
BURNING BABY TOO SICK TO CRY
WHIMPERS LIKE A PUPPY LOST IN THE NIGHT
BURNING LIKE HER OLDER BROTHER DID
BEFORE HE DIED
SOMEWHERE SOUTH OF EL CENTRO
ON A MIGRA BUS WITH BARS ON THE WINDOWS
FAR FROM HONDURAS
SAFE WE THOUGHT IN A LAND
FAR FROM HONDURAS
SAFE IN A LAND THAT GAVE HONDURAS BULLETS

2
BURNING BABY TO SICK TO CRY
SUCKING AIR LIKE A LEAKY HOSE
BURNING ON A MIDNIGHT BUS TO COUNTY
WRAPPED UP IN A SHAWL LIKE A SHROUD

AFTER THE FORMS
WE TOOK A NUMBER
AND SAT DOWN

WE TRIED THEY SAID LATER
SORRY THEY SAID
LIKE ONE WHO BUMPS YOUR ARM OR STEPS ON A TOE

HAD MY DAUGHTER BEEN A BABY WHALE
SICK ON THE SAND WHERE RICH MEN SWIM
OR A SEA BIRD CAKED WITH EXXON CRUDE
HOW THEY WOULD HAVE TRIED

AND MY BROWN AND BURNING BABY GIRL
NEVER WOULD HAVE DIED.

Poet Bio: 76 YEAR OLD POET ON SOCIAL INSECURITY.

Categories: Poetry