Flor de Nopal

Flor de nopal

her way

of enduring

in desert heat

crossing 

great distances

her making

a better way

for her daughter

and childhood friend

flor de nopal

a mothers love

she felt

desert heat 

determining survival

one foot

in front 

of the other

path

their footsteps

the sound 

in sand

and prayers

calling in

ancestors

her shield 

trusting

the stepping

onward 

into new beginnings

her small family

seeking 

a better life

somewhere else

across 

the dangerous divide

of humanity

flor de nopal

her mujer hands

softened brown

her remembering

rolling corn tortillas

dirt floors

and laughter

baby nursing

her way

of being 

a mother

finding herself

in a different world

faraway 

feeling the cold

in desert 

night air

flor de nopal

her way 

of blossoming

espinas protecting

her spirit tears 

deep inside

beating heart

still strong

she takes 

the pain

of being 

a woman

surviving all

man

has done 

to her.

c/s TET