Modern Slavery

Modern Slavery, 2011 V. Ortiz Vazquez Ivory black covered in crimson blood Rhythm of fears hides his God like stand Scared by his image, he castrates the family violating the house jewel Jewels Dreams of home a man’s song Lyrics of hope cascades with every opportunity Betrayed by those of his suit Eyes shut, eyes open Glimpse of a new life Or so was the hope Shackles gone or so it seems Weight lifted or so it feels Dragging Caught in the web Familiar, chameleon the perpetrator Multicolor no longer neutral, white Greed’s trap, your dreams Twenty first century, invisible yet here Weighted by my afro hair, big lips, brown skin, accent, womanhood No lyrics of hope Silently I write Few safe ears listen, no questions Wealth not within my reach Distance, hazy, foggy “anhelos” To break through Struck down not once but twice by your greed Or, my greed?! Label me a woman, Latina, Spanish speaker, lesbian, sinner, working class Shackled by your God like demeanor Puppeteer is you Puppet is I and those alike Wearing the mark Working class Living for “migajas”