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Kissing Fidel

About once a year,
like a global classified,
there is a photo of a child
kissing Fidel Castro.

This was done before Elian
and has been continued.
Is he greasy
does his forehead shine
is his beard wirey
doe he smell like smoke
and armpit
under that field jacket
worn, accoring to the photos,
even in Cuban summers?

One year he had his photo taken
with Dan Rather. Dan was standing,
smiling like a goof,
like a kid with big ears
next to Santa Clause.

They are nice photos
of any dark-haired,
dark-eyed son
or daughter.

There are also photos
of opponents
put into custody.
We don't see these.

If he's so happy and jolly
and wonderful for the kids
why do people leave his island
on corrugated tin rafts and inner-tubes
across patrol boat and shark-infested
waters?

It must be we misunderstand
that we don't get his paradise
that if only the embargo were lifted
good will would roll
like fine cigars
and everyone would be allowed
to sit on his lap, kiss him
for the papers.

From Almost Conservative, a book of poetry