Learning to Love America

 

because it has no pure products

 

because the Pacific Ocean sweeps along the coastline

because the water of the ocean is cold

and because land is better than ocean

 

because I say we rather than they

 

because I live in California

I have eaten fresh artichokes

and jacaranda bloom in April and May

 

because my senses have caught up with my body

my breath with the air it swallows

my hunger with my mouth

 

because I walk barefoot in my house

 

because I have nursed my son at my breast

because he is a strong American boy

because I have seen his eyes redden when he is asked who he is

because he answers I don’t know

 

because to have a son is to have a country

because my son will bury me here

because countries are in our blood and we bleed them

 

because it is late and too late to change my mind

because it is time.

Previous
Previous

Mishearing

Next
Next

Keeping Your Distance