O beautiful a land made safe
and, if not safe, then free
of one more man from somewhere else.
The problem was “an administrative error”.
The problem was Garcia’s Bulls sweatshirt and cap.
The problem was his family’s pupusa business.
The problem was a gang had targeted him for death.
The problem was the majority of Americans didn’t vote.
The problem was the price of eggs.
The problem was misogyny and racism and endless greed.
The problem was misinformation.
The problem was she laughed too loud.
The problem was staying home to protest Biden’s Mideast policy.
The problem was “both parties are the same.”
The problem was, sending Abrego Garcia to El Salvador was an “illegal act”.
The problem is, “take all available steps to facilitate” his return
can mean “If El Salvador wants to return him [we’ll] provide a plane.”
What does he dream of in his cell?
Spacious skies?
The touch of his wife’s hand?
Who’s laughing loudly now?
God shed his grace
the way a snake sheds skin.
How easy it is to make an administrative error.
How easy it is to back the wrong team.
How easy to say “I don’t have the power to return him.”
How easy it is to make a ghost.