Go back to your country

Imagine you pay your mortgage on time. Upkeep the lawn to match the neighbors
yards. Even trim the hedges on weekends to blend in. Strangers pass by
stop to observe & judge your plantano colored siding.
Tell you which color is most inviting
Tell you what color walls is most patriotic
People love talking about walls when they aren’t sure what flag you stand
for.

Play the good tenant. America has always had an affinity with obedience. Swallow your tongue
pushing down any trace of accent. Speak that proper office phone english. That job interview english.
Annunciate extra deliberately so their wave won’t become hostile or privileged. Take out the trash to
the curb every Monday & Wednesday like a good

citizen. Black bags for Goya. Clear bags for Trader Joes. Gotta be that brown before the fries get
crispy. That brown that can change octaves in a pinch. That brown that is light enough to make you
curious but not suspicious. That brown that's light enough that they wave at you when you get the
newspaper from the driveway and don’t think you're stealing it.

Just keep nodding your head at the reasons your home is unfit for their block. Keep your social
security card behind your license for leverage. This skin isn’t enough proof that you have jurisdiction
here. Smile when they try to evict you from a home you share ownership to

since you are not a lawn and can’t ever match their white picket fences.

12 Miles from Cancun

Three Americans were killed while on vacation.
They were called brave. Brave is learning to tie your shoelace after the last wave
disappears. The whisper of cuidate mi amor will cling to ears.
A coyote's foul mouth rattling like maracas. The trail is a fickle beast who has no preference who it devours. Three Mexicans died while crossing a desert
They were called a threat.
Somewhere close someone thinks America is now great again

How does a prayer sound in Tijuana

It is a gust of wind sprinkling dust ​over a tombstone with two sticks...
The sign of a holy cross.
Dead flowers
evidence someone
once mourned here
even if there are no names to pray for.

Frankie Soto is a 2x winner of the Multicultural Poet of the year award from the National Spoken Word Poetry Awards.The New York Times called him an absolute force. He’s featured for ABC News, mayors, and has traveled all across the country actively touring and running workshops at Colleges/Universities. He’s been published worldwide for online and print publications.