Carl Papa Palmer Poet Pantoum

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 February 28, 2020 at 4:20 AM Wow, that last line. The greatest and saddest act of patriotism. Congratulations, Carl, on your top win! Kim Rodrigues February 28, 2020 at 2:17 PM It is good to practice different forms! Makes a better poet! Carl Papa Palmer February 28, 2020 at 10:28 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 February 27, 2020 at 9:14 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 February 27, 2020 at 11:44 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 February 27, 2020 at 2:53 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 February 27, 2020 at 3:45 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.