In Memory of Edwin, Joseph, Kameron, Leilah, Mary, Raul, and Rodolfo. Sun scorches the West Texas desert. Air conditioners hum on high. At a local pool, sun-drenched arms rest on cobalt noodles. Some guy runs a stop sign and is pulled over. He steps out of his car and shoots. Kills a Texas Highway Patrolman just like that. Steps back in his Honda, his AR-15 beside him, and speeds down I-20, still shooting. Twelve hundred miles away, it’s a typical Saturday afternoo

Running around sometime around midday Attending mother’s chores I remember her whom I never knew Her who is not The sister my sister never knew And I wonder as to what she would have been Her likeness, her voice, her love, her-- Once again, my thoughts are cut short As I run to answer mother’s call The mother of her whom I never knew Free again I return to my thoughts Wondering. Wondering upon her who is not Wondering on how she would have been Wondering about her place in th