The Land Screams

Susan Trestrail

My woman hollering legend

is buried near the arroyo.

Yo tambien

Yo tambien

Yo tambien

Echoes against

canyon walls.

It is one thousand

tiny things

Passed down

like mama’s metate.

My story, the same

story as any other

story in the city

the neighborhood

el campo.

It takes the lifeblood

from the body,

though it happens to

everyone.

Details, insignificant

like the one

in one million.

I may wish

for the other side,

but the dance is the same.

My brother asked,

“Did he hit you?”

As if my crimson skin

not proof enough.

The competition of men

for the right to abuse.

La Leyenda unites.

Me too engulfs

this fragile planet.

Estamos Esperando

Surely a time will come

when la Tierra screams

no mas.