APPLESEED P O E T RY
Gig i Gui z a d o Nettie and I walk and talk where trees line both sides of the street Black tar long-since poured has cracks where the roots are stored Paradise is delineated The line dotted and faded snakes through Citizens take sides over what color to paint it Sheet white or Totec yellow? Nettie asks, “Tia, how do you straddle this tiresome road?” Baggage from both sides is a heavy load I sprinkle seeds along the way so Nettie’s mind grows wide as her roots to bear nourishing fruit one day Long after I’m gone she can pass it on Help others like sister Lisi to breathe freely Thick skin doesn’t let bigotry sink in Variety of color adds to our beauty like the bark of a Eucalyptus tree We climb a wise old Oak with thick branches low and wide extending its canopy to shade as far as the other side There we sit sneakers dangling enjoying the perfect view “This is mi estrella,” I said, “and it is yours too” 7
