We Call It Work

Cherry

By JoseHdz

Tue, 31 May 2011
  • 3076 reads
17 comments
 

Some of us
Immigrants
Take the bus
To work
In the
Misty morning
And never complain
Of the minimum wage

We lift and pull and shift
Our hands
Like rapid waves
To and fro
Tedious thankless

But yes
We call it work

We endure overtime
Everyday
For half of what
You earn
We twist and bend and break
Our backs
Six days a week
For a third of what
You earn

But yes
We call it work

And still they insist
On conservative radio
They shout
It on FOX NEWS
That we will take over
Their country
We will pollute
Their culture
We will constrict
Their language

It’s absurd absurd

The only
True conqueror
If you haven’t heard

Is peace and love
It’s love and peace.

Certificate U
Poem
Spiritual

Comments

Submitted by Beeme on
Very emotive and poewrful writing Jose! I enjoyed and I liked the repetition, I think it worked very well :) Beeme xx

k.

Submitted by JoseHdz on
thank you! glad you think the repetition worked well :) thanks for reading.

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Nice one, Jose;-) Tina

 

Submitted by JoseHdz on
Thank you, Tina. Glad u enjoyed this piece. Jose

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on
fantastic - you are on a roll jose!

 

Submitted by JoseHdz on
Thanks, Poncey! I've been feeling good about writing lately. I was in such a long period of writer's block the past couple of months.. definitely relieved! cheers, Jose..

Submitted by JoseHdz on
Thank you, Nathan. I appreciate your struggles in the UK as an immigrant and admire you/and your family's courage. I often shy away from controversial topics in poetry as I feel it can be difficult to pull off, but I felt I had to explore this complex situation in the US. I believe that fear is the key instrument in the agenda of anti-immigration, but I think with empathy and patience we can grow to learn from eachother. Thanks again, Jose..

Submitted by Highhat on
I am glad you brought up this issue Jose. We have a lot of discrimination and xenophobia in this country as well. I met a great deal animosity when I moved to Denmark in the 70's. It isn't much better today for the immigrants even though they take the jobs that Danes wouldn't, hard working people from eastern europe , Turkey and the Arab countries as well as Pakistan. It is usually the result of ignorance and a superficial popularistic opinion. a powerful poem. Well done ;)Pia

Submitted by RachelPatricia on
Such a powerful piece, Jose - really admire your courage to speak out on this subject, and also the beautiful way you've poetically structured such a response. Congrats, and then some... ;o) Rachel xx

Submitted by JoseHdz on
Thank you, Highhat. I am surprised and saddened by the tensions toward immigration in your country. I hope time heals these wounds. Thanks for reading :) Jose.

Submitted by JoseHdz on
Thanks, Rachel. Glad you liked this piece. It was not an easy topic but I felt that I had to give voice to my thoughts and frustrations; it was a catharsis of sorts. It is definitely fulfilling to hear it called 'beautiful.' Many thanks. Cheers, Jose

Submitted by adora on
This is lovely...you have quite a voice.
adora-

Submitted by JoseHdz on
Glad you liked it. Thanks for taking time to read :) Jose

Submitted by JoseHdz on
wise words. well said. thank you for reading and for the inspiring comment. cheers, Jose.

Submitted by sid on
jjust found this, really admired the structure and the rhythm of it, and the sentiment you express so well is pertinent the world over. thanks for inspirin me today to be a better poet

 

Submitted by JoseHdz on
thank you! this is one of my favorites. i usually open up poetry readings with this one; it gets me in the right mood to read.. thanks again, cheers, jose hernandez diaz.

Submitted by JoseHdz on
spanish translation of this poem was published in Revista Contratiempo, Issue #90. Chicago, ILL.