The Beating

The Chicano got out of the car
and lay down on the pavement
as he was instructed by the cops,

his heart pounded and ancient anger rose
when the two cops proceeded
to punch him and kick him,

his elbows bled as they dragged him
to the patrol car and to jail.
He knew he shouldn’t have been speeding

in that part of town,
he knew better, he was stupid he thought.
His ribs would hurt all month, a lifetime, maybe.