GRINGO DEALS WITH KIDS IN RURAL EL SALVADOR

GRINGO DEALS WITH KIDS IN RURAL EL SALVADOR


The kids are messing with me again.
Here, locked in the computer center.
From outside they throw rocks on the lamina roof,
Which is really loud and annoying.

And what should I do? I try ignoring them.
They have more patience.

I am working, sort of, but like the game.
I peep through the windows, looking, spotting,

And the kids enter. I let them in.
Here, with me, I tell them if they
Mess up, it´s a week without computers.
So of course it´s another new game. And

I kick them out. One week, you hear?
I am determined to keep my promise.

The kids leave, angry but happy.
They got to me. In their world, they
Spend every day throwing rocks at
Bees, birds, horses, iguanas. They get stung

But it´s the chase after they knock
The bee hive down that they want.

I am the chase, the bees, and
I wonder if the lesson I want
To teach them—one week!—makes
The least bit of sense.

In their world

The kids run faster than the consequences.
I guess this time I will just have
To sting hard.
Swollen hands, eyes, forearms.

Ha.
I´m a jerk, an annoying brat,
But
These kids are too.

And because I´m stronger
I win. In both our worlds.

GREEN MEANS GO FORWARD

GREEN MEANS GO FORWARD



No idea what day of the week—Thursday?
No matter—always rains in Seattle.

Was riding my bike, stopped. Red light. A Volvo wagon, my dad´s car, pulls up, stops
And she

She rolls down the window.
"Hey, " she says.

Hey. What the fuck? Is that her?
"I´m leaving"

Yeah, I know you were leaving for the Peace Corps, some country in Africa
Didn´t sound too safe, but it also sounded like you reveled in that danger.

"No, I´m leaving right now. For the airport."
It is early, and I-5 is right here.

Wow. Okay. See you girl. Have a good
Two years. Good luck.

"Thanks. See you. Take care."

Green. Move. Down to the Y to play basketball before work. 6:20 already.

She was a cool girl. Fun. Really pretty.
We emailed a few times, but what kind of service is there in Mauritania?

So I said/say goodbye but think of her
Sometimes.

I remember that day we biked from Seattle to Tacoma in the rain and how she looked
After changing clothes, hot shower, plate of lasagna, wine. Warm. She looked so warm.

Comfortable.
Green.

Move.