Brown Angels at Work

By Raul Sanchez

Brown angels are everywhere

We observe them mowing lawns

raking, blowing leaves

dangling from tall buildings

washing windows, painting

roofing houses

They are in your kitchens.

serving, smiling

They park your cars

Out in all kinds of weather watch

them picking fruits and vegetables

breaking their backs

On freeway ramps we witness them

selling flowers, cherries and strawberries

Brown angels are attending church

going to night school, college-bound

These angels don’t fly

They walk the same sun-baked

earth that you and I do

sowing seeds

of prosperity deep down

in this American soil

This economy’s wheels turn

on the axles of immigrant sweat

brown angel sweat

Lately the wheels are stuck

in intimidation’s mud

discrimination’s muck

If brown angels could fly

hover over fertile fields and cities

of this American land they would

perform miracles, Milagros!

Raúl is the former City of Redmond Poet Laureate 2019-2021. He teaches bilingual poetry through the Jack Straw Cultural Center. He has volunteered for PONGO Teen Writing at the Juvenile Detention Center. He runs the Poetry in the Park bi-weekly readings at the Meadowbrook Pond as well as the neighborhood “Poetry Pole” in front of his house. His most recent publication "When There Were No Borders" was published July 2021, by Flower Song Press. 

This version of Brown Angels at Work was edited by Raul in 2003. Hear Raul read the poem at a Poetty Plaza reading in the summer of 2025. https://youtu.be/rjlzIl9YkXs