Close to the border with Mexico
Nights cold, days blistering
Migrant workers bused out to farms
Doing their laundry in evening by hand in sinks
Like me in motel
Door to door asking
"How many live here?"
Some angry but most yearn to talk
With a stranger for a few moments.
In the shade.
We share stories and kindnesses.
They offer me water and wishes for my safety.
Hippies, Mexican Americans, young people who revel in someone who sees them.
Marginalized people who just want to count. To be seen, To matter.