Essential Workers Are Not Heroes

We are not heroes. 

We are just people, 

trying to survive. 

You and I, 

are not equals. 

You work from home

while I... 

I work to ensure

that I get to keep mine. 

They call us essential, 

because we provide

all the food and the things that help keep you alive. 

But I am resentful

that I don't get to decide, 

What is more worthy, 

my labor or life? 

So don't call me a hero. 

I am simply doing

what has to be done. 

Don't call me a hero, 

unless you plan to treat

and pay me like one. 

This poem is about: 
My family
My community
My country
Our world

Comments

Lizbeth Anahi Ibarra

Just a little note- the art pictured above is done by me and it is a photo of my father and sister. My dad works for a company as a truck driver where he delivers palettes of vegetables to stores in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. When work is a little slow, he works in the fields, picking the same fruits and vegetables that he delivers. My sister works for Amazon, running behind the scenes on all your orders. This pandemic has been quite difficult to process, especially as I witness the direct impact it has on my family, community and communities alike. 

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