“Come work”,
They said.
“We’ll pay”
They said.
“It’s only for the summer”
They said.
I was such a fool.

“It’s fine”
He vowed
“I’ll drive”
He vowed
“I’ll take you to the border”
He vowed…
He was a ‘friend’ from school.

So now
I’m trapped
in here.
I’m trapped
Working for Them in this place.
I’m trapped
in this situation.

by rape
I’m kept.
in debt
I’m kept.
by violence and threats and pain,
I’m kept
in this forced occupation.

Depressed,
I miss
My friends.
I miss
My family.
I miss
My homeland, my work, my life.
I miss
Freedom: that special gem.

“You’ll drink”
decreed
“You’ll dance”
decreed
“Sell yourself to whom ever asks”
decreed.
“Never.” I told them.

Police
May come
sirens
May come
help, justice, and slaves’ escape
May come…
Too Late for me, alas.

six years
Have passed
since I
Have passed
the border that fateful day.
Have passed
on last night at last.

“Come work”,
They said.
“We’ll pay”
They said.
“It’s only for the summer”
They said.
I was such a fool.