I Have Never Left

Every time
I walk
Upon this
Land
I see my
Mother’s
Footprints
From when
She
Walked
Barefoot
To the well
To get
Water for
Her
Brothers
And sisters

Every time
I walk
Upon this
Land
I feel my
Father’s
Pulsating
Hands
Working
In the fields
Sweating
Profusely
And cursing
The
Overbearing
Sun

Every time
I walk
Upon this
Land
I hear my
Grandmother's
Flowers
Singing to
Her and
Laughing at
Her
Affectionate
Playful
Jokes

Every time
I walk
Upon this
Land
I smell my
Grandfather's
Mule
Lost
Without him
Thirsty
Without his
Gentle
Guidance
To the
Refreshing
Calm
Stream

Every time
I walk
Upon this
Land
I find myself
Broken into
Sharp
Pieces of
Aztec
Obsidian
Haunted by
Centuries of
Spanish
Colonialism

Every time
I walk
Upon this
Land
I soar
And float
On wide wings
Of nostalgia
And vow
That
I will
Always
Always
Return;

I have never left.