miles and miles away and to go...

today i visited las vegas, new mexico,
where my great grandparents used to live.

there, i ate my last chile rellenos.
i savored my last bowl of posole.

as i sit looking out over angel fire,
tears stream down my angry face
as i read my school's blog.

my principal had emailed me
early this morning,
"the school system continues
to support failure and not success.
are you home yet?"

no. i am not home.
i am far away. too far away.

my heart was full as i drove today
over the dry, orange-dirt, mountains.
i thought of the staff meeting,
years ago, where
we all had tears in our eyes
as we brainstormed how
to stay true to our mission and
still help the shorties pass
the test without
teaching-to-the-test.

as each mile of sage-brush
passed by, i fantasized about
scooping up all of sandtown and
bringing the families to this
magical place
where the school system can't
shove their greed and lies
down our poor, urban families'
throats any longer.
the shorties could fly free,
like hawks, with their wings
open and trusting.

after you read
the article in the sun,
take action
for the shorties.
FOR ALL CHILDREN
who are left behind!

if you are experiencing
writer's block, maybe
this and this
will help.

equal education FOR ALL.
isn't that what it is supposed to be?

much love and peace to you all.