WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.960 align:middle line:90% 00:00:00.960 --> 00:00:03.870 align:middle line:84% And this last poem is a bit of an interactive poem. 00:00:03.870 --> 00:00:08.200 align:middle line:84% So it's kind of a call and response thing. 00:00:08.200 --> 00:00:11.160 align:middle line:84% So when I say in the poem, say with me now, 00:00:11.160 --> 00:00:13.740 align:middle line:84% and then I'll say the word, and you respond back to me 00:00:13.740 --> 00:00:14.970 align:middle line:90% that word. 00:00:14.970 --> 00:00:15.810 align:middle line:90% It'll be in Spanish. 00:00:15.810 --> 00:00:17.723 align:middle line:84% So for those who knew Spanish, good for you. 00:00:17.723 --> 00:00:19.890 align:middle line:84% For those of you who don't, this is a chance for you 00:00:19.890 --> 00:00:23.010 align:middle line:90% to learn a few words. 00:00:23.010 --> 00:00:27.885 align:middle line:84% "Word Assimilation" Say with me now "burro." 00:00:27.885 --> 00:00:29.370 align:middle line:90% Burro. 00:00:29.370 --> 00:00:32.090 align:middle line:90% And say with me now "guey". 00:00:32.090 --> 00:00:32.590 align:middle line:90% Guey. 00:00:32.590 --> 00:00:34.180 align:middle line:90% There you go. 00:00:34.180 --> 00:00:39.060 align:middle line:84% Ass and ox-- beasts that bear your burden. 00:00:39.060 --> 00:00:41.900 align:middle line:90% Now, whisper this-- "hermosa". 00:00:41.900 --> 00:00:43.250 align:middle line:90% Hermosa. 00:00:43.250 --> 00:00:44.240 align:middle line:90% Very good. 00:00:44.240 --> 00:00:47.000 align:middle line:90% Beautiful-- she's beautiful. 00:00:47.000 --> 00:00:49.460 align:middle line:84% That's her there, wandering quietly 00:00:49.460 --> 00:00:54.080 align:middle line:84% through rooms, a cart of housekeeping at each door. 00:00:54.080 --> 00:01:00.660 align:middle line:84% She empties my ashtray, makes up my bed, hangs fresh towels. 00:01:00.660 --> 00:01:02.120 align:middle line:90% Now, say with me-- 00:01:02.120 --> 00:01:03.306 align:middle line:90% "esposo". 00:01:03.306 --> 00:01:05.050 align:middle line:90% Esposo. 00:01:05.050 --> 00:01:07.390 align:middle line:90% Husband-- hers. 00:01:07.390 --> 00:01:09.730 align:middle line:84% She smiles with him in the basement 00:01:09.730 --> 00:01:12.640 align:middle line:84% as he pulls used cotton from her cart, 00:01:12.640 --> 00:01:17.830 align:middle line:84% feeds it by the armload to industrial wash and detergent. 00:01:17.830 --> 00:01:20.500 align:middle line:90% So Marisa, smile. 00:01:20.500 --> 00:01:25.210 align:middle line:84% There's one on each tired face in these quiet intersections 00:01:25.210 --> 00:01:28.150 align:middle line:90% of labor before lunch. 00:01:28.150 --> 00:01:32.890 align:middle line:84% Juntos, together, them on a sunny bench behind the Mirage 00:01:32.890 --> 00:01:33.982 align:middle line:90% Hotel. 00:01:33.982 --> 00:01:39.010 align:middle line:84% Comiendo thin ham, jamón, ham on rye, 00:01:39.010 --> 00:01:43.930 align:middle line:84% boiled eggs, papitas, cold soda from the fourth floor machine 00:01:43.930 --> 00:01:47.770 align:middle line:84% where it's mysteriously a quarter cheaper. 00:01:47.770 --> 00:01:52.180 align:middle line:84% Viviendo en un momento, por el momento. 00:01:52.180 --> 00:01:55.340 align:middle line:90% In the moment, for the moment. 00:01:55.340 --> 00:01:57.670 align:middle line:84% It's not hard to romanticize them, 00:01:57.670 --> 00:02:00.370 align:middle line:90% their hands, their hearts. 00:02:00.370 --> 00:02:02.200 align:middle line:90% Not hard. 00:02:02.200 --> 00:02:05.440 align:middle line:84% But more than that, it's wrong, wrong 00:02:05.440 --> 00:02:07.630 align:middle line:84% to belittle their courage for the eighth-- 00:02:07.630 --> 00:02:11.950 align:middle line:84% ninth time, packed in a van with sweat and worry, 00:02:11.950 --> 00:02:17.470 align:middle line:84% 17 people, a 4:00 AM crossing when the moon's gone cold. 00:02:17.470 --> 00:02:26.228 align:middle line:84% Esta vez, esta vez si vamos a llegar. 00:02:26.228 --> 00:02:27.020 align:middle line:90% Si vamos a empezar. 00:02:27.020 --> 00:02:28.437 align:middle line:84% Si vamos a escapar la vida inútil. 00:02:28.437 --> 00:02:32.800 align:middle line:84% And by van, and by bus, by truck bed, by train, and by foot 00:02:32.800 --> 00:02:35.030 align:middle line:90% all the way to Las Vegas-- 00:02:35.030 --> 00:02:39.340 align:middle line:90% the plain's high neon chaparral. 00:02:39.340 --> 00:02:42.472 align:middle line:90% Now, stay with me, "hermano". 00:02:42.472 --> 00:02:43.420 align:middle line:90% Hermano. 00:02:43.420 --> 00:02:48.310 align:middle line:84% Brother, his brother-- with a foothold foot in the door, 00:02:48.310 --> 00:02:49.750 align:middle line:90% door held open-- 00:02:49.750 --> 00:02:54.790 align:middle line:90% puerta abierta abrazo embrace. 00:02:54.790 --> 00:02:56.262 align:middle line:90% Theirs, the brothers. 00:02:56.262 --> 00:02:56.762 align:middle line:90% Bienvenidos. 00:02:56.762 --> 00:02:58.512 align:middle line:84% Trabajo mañana, tan pronto y para los dos. 00:02:58.512 --> 00:03:03.130 align:middle line:90% 00:03:03.130 --> 00:03:07.330 align:middle line:84% If you're looking for truth here, it's only in passing. 00:03:07.330 --> 00:03:11.230 align:middle line:84% If you're looking for me, I was never there. 00:03:11.230 --> 00:03:15.010 align:middle line:84% If you're looking for them, imagine no English. 00:03:15.010 --> 00:03:18.820 align:middle line:84% If you're looking for work, see me at the door." 00:03:18.820 --> 00:03:20.200 align:middle line:84% Thank you all for coming tonight. 00:03:20.200 --> 00:03:23.550 align:middle line:90% [APPLAUSE]