The deadly shooting at an El Paso Walmart devastated that community, Texas, and the country as a whole. El Pasoan Oscar Garcia requested this poem.
El Paso
It was meant to
Divide
To weaken resolve
By somehow “strengthening”
Borders.
But this is a city
That is stronger
Than one person
One voicer of hate
This is a city that knows borders
Like a neighbor’s fence
Are not meant to divide
But to be reached across
Daily.
And so we can grieve
We must grieve
Hang our heads and hearts
And join hands
Family to family
Friend to friend
Neighbor to neighbor
Human to human.
We must grieve
And honor
The loved ones lost —
Turn of that fervid TV
And that separating screen
Turn off this radio
And go outside
See each other face-to-face
Where hate fades.
It was meant to divide
But this city
This unbreakable city
Knows that reaching across
Borders
Is what makes us
Stronger
Is what keeps us
Human.
Produced by Laura Rice.
