This collection addresses a heart felt immigration story. In “Heavy Heart” we hear the story of a father standing in front of some type of a government organization fighting to not be deported. His son Luis is in a hospital and is unconscious and might not make it. When the hospital finds out they report the family to the proper agency and now when they should be with their son in the hospital they stand in front of this group fighting to stay in the United States so that their son doesn’t die alone. Pairing with the previous poem “Tell Them” is from the perspective of the son Luis who wants to be an American citizen by his birthday but when the presidential election happens, his life changes as laws begin to change. The audience doesn’t immediately know the connection of the two poets but it becomes clear who Luis is as he speaks. The love and energy that comes from this little boy is humbling. He just doesn’t want to die alone. He wants to do all the right things. This collection is a look at immigration from a different place, from the eyes of loving parents and the heart of a sick child. And as it says within the collection, “Sometimes we do the wrong things for all the right reasons.” The things that a parent will do for a child are limitless, just as the silent strength of a child to live. An Immigration Story could be inner woven rather than told as two separate stories.
An Immigration Story: Heavy Heart, Tell Them
It was the best suit that I had
Washed
Dried
Pressed
Cleaned
Today was the day
Most important day
March 13, 2017
Looking from the sidewalk
Looking up at the building
Down at my suit
Up at the faces
Down at my feet
Up at the flashing lights
Down at the cracks in my hands from years of hard work
Up at the sun knowing my God is shining down on me
Down at the news trucks
Up, up, up
Down, down, down
Air floating in and out of my chest
Move your feet
Now is the time
Up, down, move, breath, suit clean, GO!