Breaking Boundaries

 Breaking Boundaries

By Armando Ortiz

-Mountains

These words flow

like the water that cuts through 

the Manzanar detention center,

exiting rusted barb wire fences

hiking up the alpine trails

dreaming of swimming icy waters,

dead wind passing between bones

brittle and cold, a makeshift cry

a cairn shrine with jagged horizons.

-Deserts

These words wander

like sweaty bronzed bodies walking north

that are captured and caged,

brushing against the golden ocotillo

traversing strange desert canyons

digging for water to soak the mouth,

midnight howls between rock and femur

stinging nights, pounding afternoons

baked boulders glowing at night. 

-Seas

These words wash up on the coast

swollen bodies float ashore 

the last breath of hope is spoken,

determined they boarded

sailing north, crossing the gulf

anxious to step on land,

waves drown out wails

tempestuous night crashing balsas

paper boats drifting like torn flags. 

-Highways

These words hum

wails drowned out by endless rolling

exhausted, the car is spewing black clouds,

crammed like sardines 

every breath is a last stand

seeking air as tolerances squeeze,

each exhale closer to that edge of delirium

holding back tears, but other’s cries pass

bodily fluids mix and the journey is at the brink.

-Skies

If words were ants they’d fly on drones

hover over the border and celebrate 

a grand entrance from sky to the floor,

like tiny spiders we’d float in the air past the walls

climb up to the highest tree on a windy day

and weave a string that would take us away,

if we had money we’d buy a new identity

then go to an embassy and apply for a visa

better yet, we’d enter as tourist and never return,

clouds are puffy with no worries to ponder

too old and wasted, but our children 

youth and energy can still make it.

-Perimeter patrols

These words are surrounded by mountains

barren land amongst tattered buildings 

barbed wire making cages,

breakthrough the boundaries

cancel the reservations

and escape from the ghetto,

boxes where we get encased

mind boundaries of color and identities

legal walls surround the body and mind,

take back what was lost

regain freedom and reconnect with earth

communities unite and break the gates.