Puerto Ricans in the White House

On Day 1

The First (Puerto Rican) Family 

breaks-wave

migrating The White House lawn

sworn back into a Sunday where

drive when they would breeze

down lake shore and how parents

reveal with pomp and stock

the white houses.

On Day 2

Air Force One runways in

San Juan with coqui-on-sole

Air Force 1’s. The passengers

a cabinet of homemade sazón

all applaud the land.

On Day 3

Major negotiations commence

to support a complete secession

from Goya.

On Day 4

We are introduced to the first

First Tio who doubles as a godfather. Making sure

the presidents of future

who double as nieces

stay on the zoom call

until teacher releases.

On Day 5

First Chihuahuas 

Cosita and Pepe

were sent home

for noise. much protest

from living bantam

for noise. much protest

they shake nervy

from being close to almighty

yet no way of saving anyone

for noise. much protest

they nervous all over carpet

for noise. much protest.

On Day 6

                         Let us prepare for independence, demand reparation, appeal to history by securing justice. 

On Day 7

like how the ceo of the business

just runs the company

but the company will always be

the company / business as usual

the business of country

is logged in favors

and company is kept as is but

no longer have to wait in line for bad bunny tickets

no longer have to wait for power

no longer have to

Copyright © 2024 by Karl Michael Iglesias. Originally published in Poem-a-Day on August 30, 2024, by the Academy of American Poets. 

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“Inspired by a Chris Tucker stand-up, this exploration of Puerto Ricans at the forefront of American politics started as comedic. This alternate reality pushes me to face my own relationship to capitalism as it survives within this country, and the reality that the systems in our government will survive all presidents unless we find a way to come together for a radical resurgence as a society.”
—Karl Michael Iglesias