The Calm After This Storm Poem by RIC BASTASA

this is the first time
in my life
my father tells me
he did not have it too
in his lifetime

in the barrio a husband
died and his wife is the only
one in the wake
the prohibition is clear
there should be no other
mourners

the segregation continues
one line for the dead and
it is long
the other line is for the
living
and it is getting shorter

some went into panic
and some into deep depression
and those who
keep their sanity and calm
shall continue on living.