Written By: Sydney Valerio
before they arrived
el zapatero y el barbero
used to be part of people’s weekly routine
I’d watch the regulars go into their shops from my window
in the round building on the corner across the street
before they moved into my block
they’d have to confirm with their mom and pops
how they would spot them the monthly extra thousand dollars
they’d need to complete their rent because getting this place ensured
they’d have a residence, a second place
heavily relying on their parents’ credit check
so as to keep them out of their basement
before the zapatero and barbero closed
the regulars thought:
“It’s okay, I will get new shoes where I buy my clothes.”
“Tato, I will go to the other barbero down by the train or right up the block…”
“Wait, that barbero is also closed.”
before they arrived
the places
the services
the access to food
all were drained
the schools, oh my,
even the schools
had whisperings
of “if you stay,
you’re a fool”
and the residents
became distraught
felt abandoned
as a desert was created right in front of their faces.
‘There goes the neighborhood, Mami, you better keep your place!’
it became attractive and appetizing with
a rent that is what Mami pays times three
of course the landlords
are welcoming to those who are called the gentry.
Sydney Valerio, born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx, enjoys focusing on the socio-cultural aspects of life that shape our perspective. In 2015, she joined the spoken word performance community as a member of the Full Circle Ensemble. She is an M.F.A. student at the City College of New York. She has performed in the National Black theater, the Bronx Museum of Arts and most recently, her one woman show “Matters” sold out at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. She has an extended encore performance on February 25, 2017 at the National Black Theater. Her first print publication will be featured in the Mujeres, The Magic, The Movement and The Muse Anthology of Women Writers book published by Peggy Robles-Alvarado. Visit her website for more info: www.sydneyvalerio.com
