Woman Dies in Queens Inferno

                                                 (Daily News, 2005)

The hours at Walmart
were long ones for Nancy Salano.

College was something
she could not afford to do without.

“Be a teacher,” someone said,
“make a living.”

Coins wrapped in a handkerchief
gave her courage.

If her mother, Milagros Duque
could come all the way

from Salvador with only pennies
in her pocket, 

then Nancy Salano could go further.
Maybe take her two boys,

Xavier, ten and Carel, five
far away from divorce.

Neighbors awakened by screams
said she threw books

from the third story window
as the fire spread.

Hung by her thumbs until
she jumped.