How Could They Know? Poem by Liilia Talts Morrison

He signaled me, waving a letter in his free hand
The other leaned on a cane
He spoke no English and the notice was official
What did it say?

I looked and saw it was a senator
One who was known for many years
Yes, he would check to see how soon
His case came up with the authorities

Cuba, he must return to Cuba
I could see it in his face, for he was very old
And could hardly walk
Yet he dressed clean and formal
And smiled to everyone who walked by

A while later another letter came
And again he waved me down in the lobby
No, they could not expedite his request
He had to wait like everyone else

How could they know he could hardly walk
And no one drove him to the store for food
And he was brave and he was kind
And now, he dozes on the lobby sofa.