Combat Boots
I am awakened
and this heavy white Puerto Rican
invades my body.
We join in unison feeling his every pulse.
¡Cono!
He hugs me tightly with my arms laced over each other.
Like, he doesn’t want me to let go.
I feel his sweat push against my body.
It’s going to get ugly because,
I feel his fear and adrenaline, silent and cold.
Like a discounted appendage,
and the cut-rate chilla
I am seldom given the merit I deserve…
…if he only knew.
Only in times of haste am I recognized.
Like the person hooked on that thing,
jones is running.
Wanting their fix!
With his every stride I bring validity to his existence,
covering as much ground as possible,
with the breath
of my sole.
During the day I am close to him.
Akin to his skin and clothes.
At night he retreats
and I stand relaxed
and ready as the faithful cohort.
Waiting for the early morning rise.
I know him with disconnected affection.
Where I come from
feeling is obsolete!
I act in concert,
seeing the empty shell casings full of death.
The odor of my surroundings is not invasive as the air above.
I am close
to the floor of battle
noticing the blood flowing in silence,
feeding the desert with its life sustaining force.
Indiscriminate to what is below,
I advance!
For the life of my owner depends on his tread.
I am his foundation!
He depends.
From my countless expeditions
his weight has taken its toll.
Like him, I have grown weary.
!Estoy cansao!
Hasta cuando?
I am worn out.
Tired of participating as a roving camera
in the theatre of war,
watching man and his misconstrued bravado implode.
In due time, I realize I have run my course.
Estoy viejo.
I seek freedom from his hold and I rebel with the stench of my earth.