POEMS ABOUT LOSS

I :Welcome to America, Little Boy

“Where are we going, Mama?”

I asked you and held out my arms

and you picked me up and cuddled me.

Why are we leaving Papa and Maria behind?

Mama said “Shh. We’ll see them soon.”

I held out my arms to her but she turned away.

Then I said, “Mama?” and

she came back and hugged me.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

“I’m tired, Mama, pick me up!”

Mama said “you must be a good,

strong little man, chiquito.

Now I’ll sing you a song

while we walk, okay?”

I was good and I nodded my head,

but I was so very tired.

We walked a lot and lay down

by the side of the road when

we had to sleep.

I missed my room and Papa and Maria,

but I was good and didn’t say anything

and ate the food that Mama gave me,

even though I didn’t like it.

After a long time of walking, there was

a lot of noise and big men were shouting at us.

I was scared and held onto Mama’s leg.

Mama said “be strong, little one, hold my hand.”

We walked where the big men told us to

and there were a lot of people around us.

All I could see were their legs.

Then one man crouched down and

smiled at me like he was angry.

I didn’t smile back ‘cause I was scared.

He held out his arms to pick me up,

but I didn’t like him, so I asked Mama

to pick me up.

She bent down to pick me up,

but the man took me instead.

He started to take me away, so

I held out my arms to Mama, but

she didn’t come to me.

She turned away, even though

I called to her.

“I’m a good boy, Mama, don’t go!”

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

“Mama, I'm holding out my arms.
Mama? . . . where are you?"