Caseworker: Yams and Plantain

Caseworker: Yams and Plantain

	Cabrini-Green Housing Project
        Chicago

Bienvenido’s comin’ over,
says his wife, 
to ‘splain me

why the kids
have got no rice, 
no beans, 

how the landlord’s
shovin’ notes beneath 
the door again.

In Puerto Rico Bienvenido
dug up yams,
was paid in plantain,

came over here,
brought his wife,
then his kids.

First New York, 
then Chicago,
gave up yams, 

gave up plantain,
just to drum
and make a living.


Donal Mahoney
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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