a walk through the organ pipe
cactus fields along
a contentious boundary
a place called Mexico on one side,
a collection of semi-independent States
on the other
Barrels of water with spigots
preaching survival
placed at intervals by
good samaritans
hoards of armed guards
roving in every mechanized
contraption imaginable
illegal immigrant skeletons
are collected frequently,
four in the last few days
within a ten mile radius of where
I sit, comfortable and secure,
well-coffeed, well-fed and complacent.
What inspires people to attempt
crossing a very hostile environment
with slim chance of survival
to reach a place where folks
seem so unhappy and fearful?
Why are the unhappy and fearful,
extremely blessed, well-coffeed,
well-fed and complacent people
so resistant to helping folks
risking their lives in such a fashion?
Colored lights
radiated dull
skies’ darkness;
Laughter mounts,
organ pipe resounds joyous,
drawing in more crowds.
Scrambler whirls
head spins all around;
Tummy flops
bright lights fade
hot dog and soft drink escapes,
into waiting crowd….
Copyright © 2011 By Caryl S. Muzzey
Nineth Place Winner ~ "Share A Shadorma” Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Nette Onclaud
Sept. 14, 2011
driving down to Mexico as I get close to the border
cell phone quits in Organ Pipe, no calls that I will miss
I can stay in contact via WiFi and my red laptop
it's time to get some piece of mind and put some things to order
the patrol with semi-automatics, warn of all the dangers
I can't let this stop me from this one place that I love
I heed what they're saying, stowing it in the trunk
be careful who you run into and watch out for all strangers
pass the checkpoint through the gate into Mexico I drive
sunroof open, sun streaming in, cool breeze upon my face
all that is behind me, will be there when I get back
if I make it through this week and get back AZ alive
the minutes tick by quickly, although I don't need a watch
the time that I spend by the sea erases what I want to forget
prolific by the hour, the prose flows straight from my heart
blood no longer oozes or seeps from each and every scratch
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