Equal Opportunity by Jim Wong-Chu
in early Canada
when railways were highways
each stop brought new opportunities
there was a rule
the Chinese could only ride
the last two cars
of trains
that is
until a train derailed
killing all those
in front
(the chinese erected an altar and thanked buddha)
a new rule was made
the Chinese must ride
the front two cars
of the trains
that is
until another accident
claimed everyone
in the back
(the Chinese erected an altar and thanked buddha)
after much debate
common sense prevailed
the chinese are allowed
to sit anywhere
on any train
Jim Wong-Chu 朱藹信; （January 28, 1949 – July 11, 2017) - Canadian activist, community organizer, poet, author, editor, and historian.
