7

1.  T h e   M i r a c l e

He labors all day

deep in the red,

candle-lit darkness

of the mine, musing

the five o’clock

miracle sure to come

when his wages

of Mexican silver pesos

will turn, right

before his eyes,

into water fit

for drinking, dried

corn tortillas, beans,

dried chili for seasoning,

a little candy, and even

a shaving or two of cheese.