To Those Who Have Lost Everything

This poignant poem written by Francisco X. Alarćon is visceral meditation for a moment where immigrants are facing inhumane and violent treatment along the US Southern border. It is also an important reflection for all of those who remain houseless in this country, a shameful byproduct of our system of land and property ownership.

To Those Who Have Lost Everything
By Francisco X. Alarćon

crossed
in despair
many deserts
full of hope

carrying
their empty
fists of sorrow
everywhere

mouthing
a bitter night
of shovels
and nails

“you’re nothing
you’re shit
your home’s
nowhere”—

mountains
will speak
for you

rain
will flesh
your bones

green again
among ashes
after a long fire

started in
a fantasy island
some time ago

turning
Natives
into aliens

Francisco X. Alarcón, “To Those Who Have Lost Everything” from From the Other Side of Night/Del otro lado de la noche. Copyright © 2002 by Francisco X. Alarcón. Reprinted by the Poetry Foundation with the permission of University of Arizona Press.

Source: From the Other Side of Night/Del otro lado de la noche (University of Arizona Press, 2002)