I am tired of this monotonous, sedentary
afternoon in which long-faced gentlemen vociferate
their ignorance of the Afghan war.
Dazed afternoon under the scorching sun
watching a mangy dog get up off the floor
unconcerned
with the child who just got shot by its side.
I want to emigrate, find nights sharpened
by the owl's eye,
nights full of bandits and consumptive whores.
I want to crumple up like the wasp's neurosis on my bed.
Oh, outlet city... how is it that my verses are born
in this ferocious village? What empty lines did I mistake
for an oasis, dark-dense people
full of shady passions?
Sergio Ortiz has a B.A. in English literature from Inter-American University, and a M.A. in philosophy from World University. He is a retired teacher. His poems have been published or are forthcoming in: Salt River Review, Yellow Medicine, Autumn Sky Poetry, Rust and Moth, Presence-Haiku, Shamrock, Rust and Moth, 3LightsGallery, The Smoking Poet, Acentos Review, and The Driftwood Review. He has traveled throughout South, Central and North America extensively. He currently lives in San Juan, Puerto Rico.