THIRD WORLD AND MANILAMANIC POEMS

Barefoot beggar boy on a Third World street
Scars on your face, sores on your feet
You point at your belly and mumble, “Me eat?”
Don’t put me on
You want to buy some solvent, the beggars treat

Barefoot beggar boy aren’t you keen
For some fancy Ray Bans and designer jeans
And to eat at McDonalds, not rice or beans
How about it?
Some material dignity, you know what I mean

Look at those other boys smart and neat
Brand new Reeboks gracing their feet
Bouncing to the rhythm of the disco beat
Not bad eh?
Waiting for some queer into young boy meat

Barefoot beggar boy there’s the sextrade scene
But you’re so skinny and your bod ain’t clean
And your face is etched in a plaintive mien
Let’s face it
Peddling your ass can be only a dream

Now Christians may invite you to a hymn sing song
More people in the plaza to show they’re strong
And if you beg forgiveness you can join the throng
Hallelujah!
But you know it’s sinning not hunger that’s wrong

But barefoot beggar boy you can come with me
I’ll groom you and clothe you for the economy
And you’ll never lack drugs or go hungry
Off with your pants
So I can educate your asshole and set you free

 

RECENT ACCUMULATIONS AND APPROPRIATED VOICES, Kalayaan Publications, 1997

  

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