Tuesday morning

I walk down the street

carrying the things I need

to do my work

knowing, any moment

someone might attack me

wanting the black market value

of what I carry in cheap bags,

not caring, I literally need

these things

to survive. I walk,

observe everyone-

watch for people who are watching me

a little too intently, like a robber

casing a house

looking for its weaknesses;

I note vehicles that pass

too many times.

I map alternative routes

I watch the street for loose rocks

and chunks of concrete

some aerodynamic,

some that fit in the hand.

I always know how many seconds

it will take to reach my weapon

and how many minutes

to a place where they will take me in

if I knock on a door.

I walk like this because

I am poor, in a system designed

to assure, I will never not be poor.

The world has a way

of teaching you your place

and cutting you

if you reach beyond it.

I cannot afford a taxi today.

The prices of everything

have gone up, and

they always find excuses to pay me less.

Always less.

I should not own a laptop,

but I do. I need it to work.

I also need to be out of my home

sometimes.

It is not night.

I am not dressed provocatively.

I do not have expensive bags

or designer shoes.

I am not drunk, or high.

It is not a holiday,

there are no more strangers here

than normal.

I am just walking to work,

my work, not someone else’s

and it is simply

any Tuesday morning

here in my city

and I walk as fast as I can

because I know

any day I do not,

may be my last.

Reviews

[emmajoygreen]

Maria Anzalone, It takes courage to live and be as you do, day after day after day. Whether or not you are saint or fool, my long-standing friend, I could - not that you would allow it. put you on a pedestal cushioned, comfortable and stress free. Can only hope and pray that your extraordinary book and way of being - rewards you for doing what you have for so many people over many, many years. As to your writing, it is stark, petrifying, honest and admirable. Bless you.

[John the Baptist]

Very spare, up front and honest. A hard way to live. Not to put your country down, but from what I have heard of Guatemala, I can understand the reason behind your attitude.