Forwarded from Anthony (poem)

[Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>]

Three piont on poetry.

1. A question for Chris Brady, who is the author of
'Get Real-ism'? ( From: Chris Brady
         Subject: For Socialist Realism   Date: Fri,
26 Apr 2002 14:02:11 -0700)

2. It is an excellent poem, which I am already using in my english
classes. Thanks for posting it.

3. Below is a poem a friend of mine sent me.

La Migra (by V. Peloso)

Bursting through the front door flashing
metallic badges at the Maitre'D.
Did they also hold guns?
I only remember

the cooks' dropping their pans,
knives, pots, plates full of  food
crashing together as every one of them fled
into more men with badges waiting outside the back
door.

Then choking, some rising, spilling their wine -
it was Saturday night, a full dining room -
the customers swarmed as a hive might ignite,
each face aglow with this moment's drama.

"This is theater!  This is great!" the host tried to
console.
"They're not after us.  Enjoy..."
the chef cursing his luck in his own tongue,
his partner outside sucking up to the cops

now guarding a van stuffed with unhappy men
also cursing their luck while forced to consider
the best single way to make
their one phone call count.

To their families or friends perhaps also anxious to
flee,
stay with neighbors, change apartments, move.
Their children, asleep.  It was already late.
Who chases them through their dreams?

As I have been chased by my own self
standing alone in a deserted kitchen
holding the plates I am paid to carry
to strangers who then pay me more.

I always felt lucky to have this job.
But I cannot pretend to forget
how some continue to risk everything for
what others will fight to defend.

We all fear guns.  No one escapes.
My head aches with memory.

All the best, Anthony

--
Louis Proyect, lnp3@xxxxxxxxx on 05/02/2002

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