History Lessons Are Programmed To Repeat Themselves, Until We Learn To Change Poem by Oscar Mireles

My mother Elisa
was picketing outside
the cattle car trains
that were quietly lined up
to deport Mexican nationals
from Minneapolis Minnesota
in the 1920’s

Yes, it was her
and three other women,
my Aunt Juanita and two friends
Carmen and Josie Flores
they were afraid to hold up the picket signs
that protested the mass deportations
yet were more afraid
worse things would happen
if they didn’t do anything

A local policeman warned them
it would be best if they left
otherwise he would be forced
to take action
but they stood there
waving their picket sign
like a flag
as the last train
fell into the sunset