Kings’ Day doesn’t exist for us
in the way it exists for them
We have to dance
at the carnival
We’re free to dance
at the carnival!
We dance in honor
of the Wise King, the one with dark skin
does anyone remember his name?
We dance in the streets
and on the plantations
the drums are allowed on that day
the same drums that are hidden
all year
They let us make costumes
that mock them
believe it or not
costumes so we can make fun of the
countesses,
dukes,
marchionesses
Imagine!
We’re even allowed to make fun of
priests,
nuns,
judges,
and armored conquistadores with uplifted
ominous swords
We make fun of everyone, light skin or dark
light heart or heavy
light sky or cloudy
We make fun of ourselves
We make pain
feel like fun
Aren’t we clever?