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Green Card Soldier

Green Card Soldier ~ Pantoum seasonal migrant worker unwed mother in Arizona temporary work visa expires sent back across the border unwed mother in Arizona allows her teen-aged son sent back across the border the chance to have a better life allows her teen-aged son now after his first eighteen years the chance to have a better life by staying and joining the US Army now after his first eighteen years he fights to become an American by staying and joining the US Army by becoming an American fighting man he fights to become an American offers his life for this country by becoming an American fighting man becomes an American citizen, posthumously

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Kim Rodrigues

Date: 2/28/2020 4:20:00 AM

Wow, that last line. The greatest and saddest act of patriotism. Congratulations, Carl, on your top win!

Kim Rodrigues
Date: 2/28/2020 2:17:00 PM

It is good to practice different forms! Makes a better poet!

Carl Papa Palmer
Date: 2/28/2020 10:28:00 AM

I appreciate your comments, Kim. I especially enjoy the repeats in a pantoum fixed form, really drives the point home. I see you do a lot of formal verse, as well, and so many!

Jan Allison

Date: 2/27/2020 9:14:00 PM

a sad scenario on so many levels Carl and the ending is so tragic - my respect to those who chose to fight for their country but not under this type of circumstances ( an on line friend's son has now passed out as a scots guard at Buckingham palace she is so proud he followed his dream but of course is all too aware of the risks this type of job holds. congrats on your win:-) hugs Jan xx

Carl Papa Palmer
Date: 2/27/2020 11:44:00 PM

Thanks Jan. A positive spin is the mother, being his dependent, is allowed to stay in America and be the serviceman's government life insurance beneficiary. But still....

Eve Roper

Date: 2/27/2020 2:53:00 PM

I heard here a while back that those that were migrants if they joined, they would automatic citizens … with Trumps law they denied them that right even though they were in for a while. Congratulations on your awesome win. Hugs Eve

Carl Papa Palmer
Date: 2/27/2020 3:45:00 PM

My poem was not intended to be political, Eve. Perhaps a "Trump's Law" fact check before believing what you heard and parroted about green card soldiers may be in order.