Census Takers
Census Taking South Texas-1970 The front door is not visible, We walk up a pathway to the side of the house, A backdoor awaits; three crisp knocks, A voice barely audible Vertical? We try Spanish; "Es El Censo..." "C'mon in, just turn the handle, it should work." She sits at her kitchen table, surrounding the wooden chair, leaning forward, yellow-gray hair sighs, First question: Names of all people in residence? "It's just me, and I'm waitin' to die." There is no room on the form for commentary, We stay an extra few minutes, Maybe there is something we can do? No, something we can actually do for her. There isn't. Just finish the required questions and leave the gifts of the future behind. Back on the street; four more unanswered doors. All with children playing in the front yards. Some of these kids understand English and my Spanish Between the mixed dialogue we learn there are six families