Writing at the Borderlands & What We Know, a Poem by the Border Community Alliance

Earlier this month, my colleague, Dr. Mariana Reyes, and I headed to the border to teach creative writing workshops and explore the Arizona borderlands. There is still much to process from our visit and encounters, but more to that later. During one of our stops, we visited the Border Community Alliance (BCA) organization in Tubac, Arizona. BCA is a nonprofit organization that bridges the border and fosters community through education, collaboration, and cultural exchange.

The workshop was filled with beautiful souls who shared their words and thoughts with us. Today, in this space, I want to share the poem that was written about and by the community.

We are so grateful to Celia Bavier, Executive Director of Border Community Alliance, for opening the space for us to create and be in community.

What We Know

By the Border Community Alliance.

1. I know the weakness when the sun penetrates my skin.
2. I know the songs of our people filling the empty spaces as silence embraces our presence.
3. Yo sé reír
4. I know my good fortune in living this life of mine.
5. I know about the post office.
6. I know the pavement will soon burn my feet and my dog’s paws.
7. I know what is in between
8. I know the Coyote that drinks water from my Bird Bath.
9. Goodbye, my native brothers
10. I know when the cactus wrens have a meeting.
11. I know the sounds of the birds in the trees above me as I do my stretches on the picnic table in the cool morning sunrise.
12. And sadly, I know I am the last alive with such strong and joyful memories.