In the apartment
there is smoke. Margarita comes to sit
and packs feet into shoes. Time for
the next shift. It’s original
sin if you believe it.
They have begun to round us up,
vienen para nosotros, in Jersey, in LA nos esperan
en Wal-Mars, escuelas and hospitals.
We won’t be
there to pick you up
in our arms today hold
your sister’s hand, bring her home.
Wind blows the bedroom curtains
apart. The sky divides into blue and white.
Three birds nest in the tallest
winter roble.
Two cannot fit
in so narrow kitchen. She thought
she had tiled the walls with art.
Alicia Askenase is a writer, educator, and museum docent. She is the author of The Luxury of Pathos (Texture Press), Shirley Shirley (Sona Books), Suspect, and Cover. Her poetry has appeared most recently in the anthologies, Not Our President and New Work by Philadelphia Poets.