Christmas Reservations Poem by Donal Mahoney

Willie has mixed emotions
about homeless Syrians
coming to America but
his wife Millie says we
should take them in.

Willie says his wife is right
but says America has its problems.
It’s not able to house its own,
some of whom sleep in parks,
against buildings and under bridges.

He tells Millie if America can't
house its homeless why should
the country take in Syrians.
He admits Bosnians who came
in 1995 are doing very well.

But Willie has reservations
as do many American Indians
who live on reservations.
Indians have homes and services,
nothing to celebrate but better
than the homeless in America.

Willie points this out to Millie
when they sit down to a pair
of Cornish hens on Christmas Day.
Willie grabs a drumstick
and says maybe the Syrians
should have reservations
about coming here until
America finds a way
to house and feed its own.

Millie works on a wing
and tries to figure out how
America can do both