David | Teen Ink

David

May 11, 2012
By Rene Sanchez BRONZE, Rancho Santa Margarita, California
Rene Sanchez BRONZE, Rancho Santa Margarita, California
2 articles 3 photos 4 comments

He sports a glossy bald head
Jeans three sizes too large
A stained white tank top
he wears tight around his chest
He stands behind the gas station
smoked a cigarette
My neighbor, David.

My Friends glare as they walk past him
My Friends cower in fear
I don't understand why
"That's just David. He lives here."
They look at me as if i should know
"That Mexican is dangerous" They whisper
loud enough for him to hear
He is Mexican
my neighbor, David.

He sports a glossy bald head
He shaved to match his mom's
a stained white tank top
because he can't afford much else
with the medical bills
that consume him
He loves her more than anything else
and smokes to suppress the pain
He is Mexican
He is human
my neighbor, David.


The author's comments:
This poem is based on my actual neighbor. I wrote it one night after after thinking about the racism and fear greatly directed to the Hispanic race in my society. I want this to remind readers that everyone has a story behind them.

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