Colonia's Chorus

* Note to readers - This poem is a bit different from my usual writing. It is something that can be called experimental I guess. Although I like the images and ideas I came up with I am not satisfied with the rhythm, overall sound etc. so feel free to make suggestions.

Also a 'colonia" is a shantytown all too common here, on the border.



Colonia's Chorus



Each day

there's birdsong

(which is nice)

and with time

I've gotten used to the grunting

of hogs

as they slurp their slop,

that's stinking and abuzz with swarming

flies.

But there's also endlessbarking

and the periodic

cock-a-doodle-do

of many roosters.

Yes, the colonia

has its chorus-

the chirp of a lone cricket,

a far away

neigh.

And a spotted frog that sits

in the outhouse,

signaling scarce, precious rain.

And a runt pup

I'm fattening up

on Spam.



There are all these

creatures

and not much else-

just monotony

and aggravation,

heat

and desperation

and the stark awareness

that the desert

is not for the weak...

And lately,

there's my thoughts,

"It's time for a change."

It sounds like a politician's

campaign slogan

but isn't-

mere dreams

dried up, though clung to.



There's this,

the struggle of life

in a shantytown

cardboard houses

and garbage burning...

But there's the marvel

too,

that just over

that distant, grey hill

is Sunland Park, New Mexico

with its casinos

and shopping malls,

grocery stores and buffets

and swimming pools

too,

filled

with cool, clean water.