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Keith Polette

Migration

They begin arriving in Spring, before the desert summer like a fevered delirium takes hold for six months, knocking on your door, asking if you can spare five minutes, so that they can pitch you house paint, life insurance, security systems, solar panels, magazine subscriptions, or the new church that promises salvation in three easy payments. Funny how they all sound the same, words rolling out of their mouths the way graffiti-covered train cars pass at a busy crossing.  They have a look in their eyes like yellow caution lights in heavy fog.  They tell you that you are missing the opportunity of a lifetime, the likes of which will never come your way again, and that if you don’t sign on the dotted line today, you will forever regret it.  When they extend the clipboard and pen, you notice that the silver metal clamp that holds the contract in place looks like a guillotine blade.

door-to-door
the crisp, cold faces
on dollar bills

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About the Author

Keith Polette lives in El Paso, Texas. He is the author of a book of haiku, The New World, and a book of haibun, Pilgrimage, both published by Red Moon Press.