money

they are trapped in Senegal,
no money, no exit, no way to the future
they desire of higher education, a chance to
live abroad, they have no money.
I thought it could be different.
I thought it could be different if you were
smart, ambitious, curious, that money
would not hold you back, money was
something that could be worked out like
a student visa, or a bad marriage.
I know that it's different now and I write
back to them, these two young men,
bright eyed and hopeful that I could help
them, point to a magic passageway
to America.
I know I can't.