How does it end?
How does it end?
By Marge Piercy
From Guatemala, from El Salvador,
Honduras they travel overland
with little, with nothing but hope
out of terror, from rape and murder
with daughters and sons. babies
they hope they’re carrying to safety.
They believe the old promises.
Here you will be safe, here there’s
work no white American wants.
You’ll save to save family members.
This will be a home forever.
Here you will not cower in fear.
They cross and are treated
worse than thieves, shoved
into overcrowded camps, into
cages like dogs no one wants.
Here the children they fled so far
to save are ripped from them
penned like sheep, alone in crowds
crying, confused, terrified again.
Oh, Emma Lazarus, could you see,
would you recognize this country?
France, you must take back that lady
with her now extinguished torch.
Copyright 2018 by Marge Piercy
Marge Piercy has published 19 poetry collections, recently Made in Detroit (Knopf); 17 novels including Sex Wars. PM Press reissued Vida, Dance the Eagle to Sleep; they brought out short stories The Cost of Lunch, Etc and My Body, My Life [essays, poems]. She has read at over 500 venues here and abroad.