AMNESTY by Nancy Shiffrin The Vast Unknowing, Infinity Publishing, BN.com
“for what must I be forgiven?”
Lucia walked from Guatemala was shot
at the Mexican border returned again and again
until she could bribe her way North
she sits in my 6 A.M. class struggling
to tell her story I write her tales
on the board refuse to correct grammar
want voice hands sturdy feet
weight of eight years of hiding
soon I must teach
simple present present continuous
how many stars in the flag what the stripes stand for
the students must
know address social security alienation number
repeat names in the same sequence each time
demonstrate comprehension of democracy
to men who want to deport them
“for what must I be forgiven?” Lucia repeats
yet knocks on the classroom door at 5:45 eager
to speak of the mother who ripped her dress
the women whose babies she bathes
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