I Know Her from the Neighborhood

Latest

She is your mother and my mother too
I know her from the neighborhood
She phones her son through the jailhouse glass
I know her from the neighborhood
She lies awake til her daughters come home
I know her from the neighborhood
On the dawn bus with her bucket and broom
I know her from the neighborhood
When Grandpa forgets, she remembers him
I know her from the neighborhood
She filled a pinata with chocolate sweets
I know her from the neighborhood
When boys start punching she breaks up their fights
I know her from the neighborhood
She protests for clean water with 200 tribes
I know her from the neighborhood
She marches with us for immigrant rights
I know her from the neighborhood
She gave new boots to the man from Peru
I know her from the neighborhood
She’s the crossing guard at our children’s school
I know her from the neighborhood
She plants a poinsettia, red Christmas star
I know her from the neighborhood
I know her from Knock, Guadalupe and Lourdes
I know her from the neighborhood
When I leave here for the city of pearl
I hope she knows me from my written words
My promises kept, goods given away
“Jill Anne Charles!” I hope she’ll say.
“I know you from the neighborhood.”
— By Jill Charles

+ Articles by this author

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

‘We Need Urgent Global Climate Action’

Eighty-nine percent of people worldwide want their governments to do more to address the global climate crisis. Conference on tipping points says situation is urgent. Meanwhile U.S. govt does more to boost fossil fuel forms of energy.

May Day 2025: United We Will Win

International Worker’s Day is celebrated on May 1st around the world. Today, the entire U.S. working class, of which immigrants comprise an integral part, is under attack. The defense of immigrants is vital to the defense of the entire working class.

White School Officer Pepper-sprayed and Kneed Black Beaumont, TX Student, Complaint says. Will Feds Act?

A 6-second video, recorded by a teacher and reviewed by the Texas Observer, shows an officer grabbing a student’s hair, kneeing her in the face, and knocking the 100-pound girl on her back.

Pope Francis Dies After Easter Plea to End War in Gaza

"In his final public message, Pope Francis decried the “terrible conflict” in Gaza.

Bring Union Brother Kilmar Home: His Deportation Is an Attack on All of Us

The deportation of union brother Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a gut punch to the labor movement, a slap in the face to every worker who dares to organize.

More from the People's Tribune