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)
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem