Day Labors

I am sweating all morning

about hiring

Day Laborers

 

Day Laborers

what my father was

when we first arrived

 

The men meet at certain places

and wait fro a car to

choose them

their strong backs

in paint splattered clothes

 

and because I am a woman alone

I somehow cannot conceive

of such an arrangement

 

But I need

two strong men

for four hours

to rip the floor

 

$10 an hour

the man says holding the clipboard

I am relieved he is there

holding a clipboard

and telling me $10

he asks me twice

if I want a woman house-cleaner too?

 

No, no, I say irritated

(I am just learning how to say no to salesmen)

No —- housecleaner.

I need two men

to rip my floors.

 

Later I wonder

if I should have asked

for two women

to rip the floors and

started a revolution

or given us all

a good laugh.

Benito is from somewhere near
Mexico City and
the other is from Oaxaca
We talk about the one time
I was in the Yucatan
It’s nice there Benito says
Yes, beautiful I agree
wondering if I should get them coffee

Lunchtime and I ask them what
food to bring
Mexican?
Chinese. the Oaxacan says
laughing and shaking this head
Chinese it is.
But where do I get Chinese in my Mexican neighborhood?

Am I a good boss lady
I ask at the end of a long day

They take their money
with a nod of their heads
Yes, yes. Good, lady.

My friend tells me
they made a week’s wage with me.
I ask them if they would work tomorrow.

But tomorrow
the promised Benito
doesn’t show
and I have to drive
someone else away.

Margaret Kruszewska©2001