Answer:
This poem seems to have a free verse form and does not follow a strict meter or rhyme scheme. The poetic elements that can be identified in the poem include:
Imagery: The poem uses sensory details to create vivid images in the reader's mind. The descriptions of the empty hands, trash cans, asphalt street, and thick white paint all evoke a sense of poverty and despair.
Repetition: The repetition of phrases such as "booth road," "fence fence fence," and "always an iron pole" creates a sense of rhythm and emphasizes the sense of confinement and restriction.
Enjambment: The poem has many enjambed lines, which create a sense of flow and continuity. This is particularly effective in the final stanza where the lines "we didn't know but we understood why they walk / the opposite direction to buy food on this side / this side we all know is hunger" flow seamlessly into each other.
Metaphor: The poem uses the fence and the booths as metaphors for the border and the immigration system. The repetition of these images emphasizes the sense of confinement and restriction, while the use of the fence as a symbol for the border highlights the political and social implications of immigration.
Diction: The poem uses simple, everyday language to convey complex ideas and emotions. The use of short, declarative sentences and repetition of key phrases creates a sense of urgency and immediacy, while the use of colloquial language and Spanish words highlights the cultural and linguistic diversity of the community being described.
Hope this helps!