Como Ya Sabes/ As You Already Know

Como ya sabes that the men act a certain way.

That mauchismo is alive and well.

In Tepecoyo. San Salvador. St. Louis.

Como ya sabes that the men drink

Don’t come home until morning

After their daughters go looking for them.

Como ya sabes that they waste the money they earn.

While their wives and children go hungry

One tortilla shared for each meal.

Como ya sabes that men think they are stronger

Even as women run households

Build concrete pillas

And fight to seguir adelante every day.

Como ya sabes that the men don’t wash dishes.

Or cook.

Or clean.

Como ya sabes that we walked to the US to be with my husband

And then he left me and my children alone with nothing.

Como ya sabes that men rape and beat their wives

Girlfriends

Children

And the innocent woman coming home from work in the darkness of the night.

Como ya sabes Linsita que así es la vida.

Yes I know…

But why does that make it okay?