My Native Costume
When you come to visit,
said a teacher
from the suburban school,
don’t forget to wear
your native costume.
But I’m a lawyer.
I said.
My native costume
is a pinstriped suit.
You know, the teacher said,
a Puerto Rican costume.
Like a guayabera?
The shirt? I said.
But it’s February.
The children want to see
a native costume,
the teacher said.
So I went
to the suburban school,
embroidered guayabera
short sleaved shirt
over a turtleneck,
and said, Look kids,
cultural adaptation.
by Martín Espada
From Touching the Fire
Anchor Books 1998
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