Yuma, Arizona Border Patrol Mission - Cry Baby Poem by Renee Marie

On the Border Patrol mission I stole a piece
of rusty barbed wire from God’s desert.
115 degrees, Yuma, Arizona,
one quarter-mile south of my Army shade tent -
the new Wall is being built.
Self determination requires maps drawn in blood and Pesos
and Dollars.

Nearly
every time I hear or say
The Pledge of Allegiance
my heart expands and contracts and
feeling this vacuum
I yield to tears breaking free
and the Earth Flag waves-in all the other
colors
languages
hopes

On this rusted, twisted metal; D.N.A. chants
a heart song. I couldn’t just leave it there -
their history - without even a grave.
I squeeze and bleed and listen and rewrite
the World Pledge to include
Everyone.

Some say I’m too sensitive to
be an Army Officer
Too honest
Too expansive
Too idealistic;
a “Cry Baby”, just because I tear-up for Pledges of Allegiance to
dignity,
no vengeance.
To peace,
no privilege.

I want to wear this two-inch barbed wire around my neck
with my Dog Tags but I’ll get cut or tetanus and damage
Government Property.

(First published in Sacramento Poetry Center's Poetry Now, Fall,2008 Journal)