Immigrant

Alone, but cloistered tightly with others of the same ilk

Called names and hated for taking jobs and committing crimes

That others will not do, but that's ok, the shoulders are wide

As wide as the ones this country was built with

Broken backs of those that built bridges and roads

Grew a global economy and made men rich with the sweat and blood

They swung pick axe and hoe, laid steel, drove spikes

To connect this great nation that calls us "parasite"

Served in wars, gave lives, and left families not knowing their final fate

Children crying in mothers arms promising to send money home

Western Union charges blood money so others may eat

Calling Card calls to hear that your father died, your son was born, your wife is sick

Police cars cause panic attacks, fear is the friend on the seat next to you

 

I am illegal

Illegally chasing crops to pick all day

Illegally replacing your roof after a bad storm

Illegally laying the concrete for your pool

Illegally cleaning your house

Illegally raising your children

You say I take jobs, then do the ones I take yourself

You say I commit crimes, man, I'm too scared to call the Police

They might send me back to the shithole I fought so hard to leave

Do you love your family?

Do you?

Really?

Did you pay someone money to ship you like cargo for a better life?

Do you have to lie to get a job?

Does your family wait on baited breath for money to eat?

Do you worry? Every. Single. Fucking. Day. you may be arrested?

Held in a facility, no contact, like a corpse, until you get sent back...

Back where you made promises

 

Back where this all started

Back where you all came from, to be able to call me

Immigrant

 

This poem is about: 
Our world

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