Buenas Noches, Senorita Hoang Chinh Buenos dias, Senorita Good morning, the stateless girl Life in exile's hopelessly thin since grief's ulcerating us, bones and skin. Buenas tardes, Senorita Good afternoon, my little girl. Life's going downhill; life's difficult any hope in your haggard eyes ? Buenas noches, Senorita Good evening, little girl. Night is fathomless. Fires are South, where your homeland is Nicaragua, or Guatemala ... ? Through the darkness of night

covered by curtains of tear. Do you still see your home country everywhere ? Buenas noches, Senorita Sleep well, dear ; please sleep for me Since on the other side of the sea my parents are suffering in the desperate fight how can I sleep in this luxuriously comfortable night thinking about pieces of tapioca and sweet potato of my home country ? So please dream an extra nice dream for me. Buenas noches, Senorita.

This article was originally published in Cross Cultures Magazine in Volume 1 - Issue 5 - 1992. Unauthorized copying, distribution or other usage without express written permission of the publisher is prohibited.