some exiles and immigrants
have been more welcome
than others
some have been excellent hires
but only for cane and corn
and garlic fields
some are thought to be hard
working and if wealthy a good catch
but not for your daughters
and in other fields there is
that same pecking order— light
on top gradations of black below
~ “…Filipinos, they’re like
the Blacks of Asians” (Issa Rae)