barbie dreams

barbie dreams

the barbie brings dreams to the dusty roads

with coins in her eyes

can she fill their outstretched hands?

they wonder about her World

a world where they work

for things

things they have no time to use

because they work

for more things

for this Dream.

the perfume of burning wood envelops us

they sit on the sun burnt earth

a woman with a bent back of plants

lays her shawl down for me

this barbie can't get soot in her nails

can't scald her milky skin with equator sun 

can't work all day for a bag of rice and potatoes

they protect this barbie dream

so it remains whole and possible.

they watch me

with beautiful brown hues swimming in their eyes

their children touch my hair

and marvel to understand blue eyes

we sit in a circle of simplicity

a respite of friendship and appreciation

drinking the remnants of water soaked coffee beans

they ask if I can bring the Dream

and I ache

knowing that in them I see the Dream.

MZM 5/17/2007 Cajamarca Peru