"Business" emerges as the third lyrical gem in a suite of five poems nestled within Victor Hernández Cruz's 1973 treasury, Mainland. This lyrical suite embraces other creations like "Atmosphere," "Memory," "Love," and "Music." Within "Business," we are introduced to the musings of Don Arturo, a sage who spins tales and whispers enigmatic "messages" on timeless subjects. However, unlike its companions, "Business" stretches longer, weaving its narrative through 34 succinct, staccato lines of free verse. The poem spins the tale of a street vendor and troubadour, whose trade in puppets and melody often landed him in the hands of the law. Yet, when the vendor found himself before the court, he enthralled detectives and clerks alike with his puppet spectacle, enticing them to purchase his wares. The judge's indignation in response to the "criminal's" delightful performance is met with the vendor's cheeky assertion that his trade is merely "monkey business." This narrative echoes in Cruz's essay "Don Arturo: A Story of Migration," depicting the real-life inspirations of Don Arturo, a cherished companion and muse.

The heart of the poem beats with the theme of business, juxtaposing institutionalized commerce, personified by the state, against the personal enterprise embodied by the musician. Cruz artfully critiques the state's sterile, emotionless approach, suggesting instead that business flourishing on human interactions and relationships is not only fulfilling but vital to the soul.

The affection that the officers and clerks develop for the musician's whimsical puppet theatrics further underscores Cruz's message: the bureaucratic machinery of business, laden with licenses and taxes, often disconnects from the genuine desires and needs of the populace. The musician stands as a clever trickster, subtly challenging authority by tapping into humanity’s innate yearning for freedom. The anecdote carries a parable-like simplicity, conveyed with clarity by a voice of wisdom that transcends governmental authority, granting the poem its sweeping universal resonance. Ultimately, it sings a song of triumph for the underdog.