Chimbote is the largest fishing city in Peru. The vast majority of Black women in Latin America and throughout the Americas have hard lives.
In the night in a city called Chimbote,
I see her
Standing in the doorway of a busy restaurant
A stunningly beautiful Black woman
In rags, begging for food.
In this moment
My heart reacts...
As I reach the door, Searching;
some small thing to offer her
In my hand.
In the night in a city
called Chimbote
No sign of her.
She is gone.
Copyright Marian Douglas-Ungaro 2008. All rights reserved.No reproduction without the explicit written permission of the author.
Lovely snapshot that has a touch of tragedy about it because of the beautiful woman begging for food that vanishes. The opening sentence grabbed my attention and I wanted to know more. It's sad that she was gone before we met her.
A very quick piece which matches the haste of the women who was standing in need and then gone in a flash. This piece is interesting! I'm still playing with the whole idea of there being nothing given and nothing taken which might be parallel to the black women being seen as nothing in this country. This would explain her not being seen at the end of the poem. I think this poem is powerful in its simplicity. Well Done & Write on Sista!
Join me as we travel together on the road called "Aging." I will be sharing my personal experiences with you and offer ideas on how we can better navigate the complex byways of our older years. Grief, healing, generations, ancestors, and more.
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Bravo, great piece.
Rodney
Be always safe,
Karen
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.