Poetry

June 25, 2018 Poetry , POETRY / FICTION

AFP photo

 

By

Alejandro Escudé

 

 

 

American Cages

 

 

I thought I’d draw a cage for you.

 

| | | | | |

 

Or three cages,

each with a young child inside.

 

|        | |  ; | |  ; |

 

The children were born

and they will come to die.

 

I thought I’d draw a cage for you

in the night,

 

in the terrible light,

in the seizing

 

of these children, who will meet

hundreds more children in American cages.

 

When you look inside a cage with a child in it,

how can you be sure you’re not the one in the cage?

 

I draw another three cages for you.

 

| | | | | |

 

Or three cages,

each with a voter inside.

 

|  { | |  { | |  { |

 

Three voters consternated

over immigration.

 

We hold their semblance

to the sun.

 

What does their sulfur heart whisper?

 

It is night in America.

It is day in America.

 

I could draw many more cages for you.

 

 

 

 

 

Alejandro Escudé

Alejandro Escudé

Alejandro Escudé’s first book of poems, My Earthbound Eye, was published in September 2013. He holds a master’s degree in creative writing from UC Davis and teaches English. Originally from Argentina, Alejandro lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.

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