The Sycamore Tree

Cristo_Redentor_Rio_de_Janeiro_4

The Sycamore tree

My friend

Lives through season

After season

In my backyard

Her leaves drop slowly

This fall into winter season

And I feel her strength

Withstanding drought

But now leaves that

Remain

Are scarce     dry     yellowed

As they wait to drop

To the ground

I look up into the sculpture

Of her near naked branches

Branches stretched outward

Like arms

A vision for me

Of the Cristo Redentor

On the mountain top

In Rio

Of my beloved’s embrace

His wide open arms

My sanctuary

My refuge     my vision of love

Loving

Sycamore’s gift to

Me

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photo credit 1
photo credit 2

Salinas

images

from the documentary, East of Salinas

Child
My country labels you
Undocumented
You are not alone
Dear one
There are two million
Undocumented children
Who like you
Live in shadow
Threats of deportation
Back to Mexico
Back to from wherever
Your parents brought you
Possibilities of separation
Of families
Torn asunder
Lives lived on the edge of
Disaster

 

Child
You are made in the
Image
The likeness of the
Divine
You are precious to me
As is every child
Everywhere

 

I want for you
To live with no fear
Playing outside your house
In fullness of the sun’s light
Not inside with window shades
Down
Curtains closed
To keep you from being seen
By Police     Border Patrol
No questions asked
No dangerous answers
Given
While your parents work
Long hot hours
In the fields picking
Our vegetables

 

I ask myself this
Question
Are we
Land of the Free
Home of the Brave
Truly    are we

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