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
