I think you can become a writer
But are born a poet

I’d go back to high school for a day
So I could say things like:
I have APUSH on G2
And I’ll meet you at passing
And See you tomorrow

But most importantly:
I know how to do calculus!

I’ve always had a fascination with palm trees
They make everything—
This state—prettier than it really is  
As if welcoming me to the holy city

I say I want to write a book
But all I really want to do
Is get high
Make little observations
Type them into my phone
And call it a poem

do we really want
our country imprisoned by a wall
and all the seasonal Mexican harvest workers
locked out?

California and other
southern border states
do not seem so enthusiastic
about this concept

legal or illegal
they need the (wo)man power
to get their fruit and vegetables
to the (super) market

therefore, dear ICE
& other border guard units

get your act together
do NOT separate children
     from their parents    
try to use your brains
      rather than follow your orders

and act
like good Americans would

I honestly don’t think the object of the viewer’s gaze matters
Because all we really want to do
Is be able to look far away
And for once
Feel small