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.