Deportation - Doug Von Koss

[Larry Robinson]

Deportation
 
Well it’s happened.
I’m being deported.
They came last week
a pair of suits with attitude. 
They’re sending me back
to where I came from --
Davenport, Iowa.
 
Somebody snitched my secret.  
I wasn’t born in California.
The California Water Conservation and Immigration Service
were on the job and in my face. 
 
Did I have identification? 
We soon agreed that I was 
who I thought I was.
 
“Sir,” the tall one said, “You have one week.”  
I couldn’t believe it.
              “Why?  I haven’t washed my car in seven months!”
“Sir,” he said, “You’re drinking our water.”
            He had me there.
“You have to leave!”
            “But I don’t know anyone in Iowa!
             I haven’t spoken Iowanese in 60 years!”
“You can learn it again.”
            “I’m a Democrat for Cripes sake!” 
“Do you have a green card?”
            “I’m retired.”
“Do you have an immigrant visa?”
            “I have a Visa card.”
“Use it to buy a bus ticket.”
            “But this is my home!”
“Not anymore.”
            “I know I wasn’t born here.”
“You admit it then.”
            “But I got here as soon as I could!”
The short guy said,   “Do you speak any Iowanese?”
            “Just please, thank you and I didn’t do it.”
“Sir, you won’t have any trouble.”
            
They left and I thought about it. 
I’ll show them.
Before I leave for Minneapolis,
I’ll wash my car. 
                         ~Doug von Koss
                             Year of the drought 2015

All the suffering in the world comes from seeking pleasure for oneself. All the happiness in the world comes from seeking happiness for others.
   - Shantideva 
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