The Lynching

They tried to lynch
al ocho patas

on that oak tree
by the square

in Seguin, Texas
just like

they had lynched
other Mexicans

they wanted to see
el ocho's ocho patas

swinging wildly
but instead

the rope snapped
and the

always faithful branch
splintered

el ocho
dropped to the ground

alive
and the

sons of bitches
stood there motionless

the oak tree
shuddered

lost all its bark
and el ocho patas

lived on
in his lynchable ways