Poem by Deter Feliz / Painting by Fernanda Contreras
An American homeowner hires
Six undocumented Guatemalan men to build her roof
Men from streets
filled with red, blue, orange, and yellow walls
Men from the block
where you can see Volcán Tajumulco
in all its fiery glory
Men whose families
are depending on their success abroad
The homeowner waited until
the fine craftsmanship was finished on her roof
She waited until the UV rays
from the scorching sun left their mark on the men
She waited until they finished
lifting 10 foot long materials up a ladder with
one hand on the grips of the ladder and the
other holding the materials
She waited until that final piece was laid down
to call ICE.
On websites and where ever
you get your news they will call these men “illegal aliens”
Saying “the six illegal aliens complied”
Saying “the six illegal aliens were arrested”
Why do you suppose that?
Because
when you read “six illegals aliens”
it’s easier to disregard them as human beings
Because
when you call them “aliens”
you get to avoid the bigger systematic question of
what is the actual problem?
An “American” paper holder hires
six craftsman athletes from the land of Volcán Tajumulco
to build the protection that will shield her and her family
And she waits until their backs are strained
and their are legs spent,
only when the house is complete
to have their knees bent
Deter Feliz is a curious musician always looking to learn about others and the world around him. He was born and raised in NYC from proud Dominican parents, but he is also gratified to experience multiple cultures of life. He’s a student at LAGCC who appreciates and values the magical power of poetry.
Painting by Fernanda Contreras, a Queens-based artist whose work is deeply influenced by her experiences as a child of immigrants. Through her art, she seeks to evoke a sense of connection, offering viewers a glimpse into the often complex and quiet stories that go unnoticed in daily life. IG: contreras.nyc
View a portfolio of Contreras’ art here.
