A new friend from the newspaper
helps me send my letter of introduction
to the rich man in Santiago,
the biggest city in Chile.
Soon I’m on my way, seated on the train,
wondering why so many gentlemen and ladies
frown and whisper, glaring at me
with disgust.
Un indio.
I hear the murmurs.
My brown skin.
Long hair.
Mended clothes.
Broken shoes.
Bursting suitcase.
Dream-filled gaze.