Melissa Castillo-Garsow

The Lovers of the Poor

             arrive. The New York
Times Food critic breathes in rudimentary
outdoor flattops, pats the hand of an old tamale
lady wrapped in a sarape to fend off the
snow. Declares these the real thing.
“Authentic” grilled pineapple al pastor.
Oaxacan mole just like in Corona, Queens where
                he arrived
the week before.
Now they flock.
To “Little México”  (his name). Strangle
en español, point to the flags, nod at
the old tamale lady. “This must be it”
they say in fitted jeans, custom blazers
facial fresh, blown bob they nibble on
the edge. Titter at their travel 40 blocks
to 116th, worry about a cab - clutch at
their purses.
        And they arrive. Starbucks
& target & subway. Luxury “towers”
for a community that never goes up – only down.
So they leave for the Bronx, go
anywhere but “Little México.” It’s
little Mexico (no accent) now and served
in English with white waiters that say
Tor- Ti- Las as if the Maine toffee & Georgia
caramels they grew up with are still
lodged in their cheeks.
            They come now
the lovers of vegan tacos & pilates
& skinny jeaned underemployed guaranteers
they guarantee & arrive show their
visiting parents the tamale lady until
one day she moves to Queens. They
googled that tamales were actually made
with pork fat and shrug.
 

Melissa Castillo-Garsow is a Mexican- American writer, journalist, and scholar currently pursuing a PhD in American Studies and African American Studies at Yale University. Her short stories, articles and poetry have been published or are forthcoming in numerous journals. To learn more visit www.melissacastillogarsow.com