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Literary Nook
T.O.A.S.T: Terrifying Old American Santa Tales
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Posted on Dec 24 2019
“… all the children were nestled snug in their beds while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.”
—from The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore, 1823
’Twas Xmas Eve on the US-Mexican Border
It was Christmas Eve on the U.S.-Mexican border
thousands of children held inside chain link cages
no media to be seen not a single news reporter
separation from parents thought by all outrageous.
Children all sleeping under blankets made of foil
denied toothbrushes for some insane reason
told to eat frozen burritos so they wouldn’t spoil
they won’t be “home for the holidays” this season.
When what to their awakening ears did they hear
but US border immigration vans sirens blaring
and many more child prisoners their age did appear
who will sleep on the crowded floor they are sharing.
When jailers in all the holding tanks turned out the light
they said Felis Navidad to the children that cold dark night.
Holiday Cheer? Not Much In Here
Its Xmas in prison inside our chain link holding tank
there are hundreds of us in this temporary tent place
we have a Miller- Trump immigration policy to thank
its been months since we’ve seen our parents face.
My little brother is sick and I’m losing weight
we don’t know where our older sister was sent
Xmas New Year holiday time for us is not so great
and we expect no gifts from the US president.
I’d like some molé de chocolate y puerquitos
my brother needs a toothbrush and a foil blanket
we both want some ice cream and hot Cheetos
but we’ll be happy with any snacks we can get.
We can see blue sky through a prison window
as we all sing Feliz Navidad and Ceilito Lindo.
Limerick Para Los Inocentes
Rocks are red, our jailers white, the sky is blue
locked up are my brother and sister and me too
never thought I’d spend Xmas behind chain links
its cold and crowded and the whole place stinks
wherever my parents are I sure wish we knew.
