Paseo en El Paso, 1945

June 02, 2013

By Elaine Schwartz

Pushing the dark blue baby carriage
Miriam strolls through the Plaza Central.

Olive toned hands firmly grasp
the warm metal handle.
Black hair gently caresses the red peonies
embroidered upon the collar
of her beige linen suit.
Engorged breasts strain the buttons
of the jacket.

The hot Texas spring
challenges this midwestern bride.
Her feet, in fashionable pre-war pumps,
begin to swell. She finds relief
on the Spanish tile bench
encircling the alligator pool.

Miriam adjusts the baby's lace bonnet.
Brown eyes focused on her daughter's blue ones,
she doesn't notice the approach of the woman.

What a happy baby! So clean and fresh!
You take her for a stroll every afternoon?
You are a fine nanny.
I have two little ones at home.
I could use your services.
I'll pay you well.

Miriam smiles,
raises her head, momentarily
shifts her gaze to the woman.
Thank you.
I'm happy with my current employer.

This piece was written by:

Elaine Schwartz

Elaine Schwartz is co-founder of the Albuquerque Chapter of Poets Against War and co-editor of the monthly broadside, the Rag. Her poetry, best described as a tapestry of place and political imagination, has appeared in numerous publications including the Santa Fe Literary Review, Harwood Anthology, Malpais Review, Poetica and the Rag. She resides in Albuquerque with her husband, Daniel, and Purr’l the Postmodern Pussycat.