from Sonnets To Human Beings
A Poem By Carmen Tafolla

At The Very Last Battle

The wooden rocking-horse in Reyes Cardenas’ yard
Sinks on bended knee like Chief Joseph
At the very last battle.

Staring into the ground and biting its bit,
Saying, “ I am tired. My heart is sad and sick.
I will fight no more.”

The only Mexican-American principle in Seguin
Waves a sad beer bottle at my Pacer
as it passes.

I drive up to my assigned parking space
And wonder if my lot is taken by the car next door
or if I really belong.

I turn the key and walk into the empty house,
Alone, like the rest of la raza,
a stranger in my own home.