By Fernando Esteban Flores
Mother’s ‘53 Plymouth
seemed like the Mayflower
in an ocean of caliche dust
& clay like rusty sand
Hulking across Texas roads
Two lanes to Laredo
South to the border
Down Mexico way
2,000 lbs of solid gray steel
Steering wheel as big
as a tractor’s
Inside wide as a tank
Mother shifting gears at 5 a.m.
on black-top highway
Gripping the chrome hoop
with all her might
Gritting her fist for a smooth
Ride with Burma Shave signs
dotting the 3-hour drive
marking cactus & cattle
to make good time.
We knew we were close
when Mexican radio
stole the show
Todo en barata
Precios de ganga
Everything for sale
Price tags hung on air
Reverb raving djs
Pitchmen sealing deals
Charming you al otro lado – the other side
With dollar-saving steals
Amá pouring café
Into a Thermos cup
Brother & I peeling
Tacos wrapped in foil.
We knew we were near
When the Border Town drive-in
Came through like the Rock of
Gibraltar out of a dense fog
& Mother sighed in gratitude
We’re here.
FERNANDO ESTEBAN FLORES
Fernando Esteban Flores is a native son of Tejas, graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in English and has taught writing at various San Antonio secondary schools.
He was selected as Teacher of the Year three times (twice at SSAIS D, Dwight Middle School-1992/2002 and Robert C. Zamora Middle School-2008, SSAISD) and South San Antonio Independent School District’s Teacher of the Year for 2008. He was also a candidate for Trinity University’s Prize for Excellency in Teaching 2008. In addition, he received 2 ExCEL awards for excellence in teaching from KENS 5-TV.
Fernando is the founder of a group of eclectic seasoned and emerging poets, Voces Cósmicas who have been promoting poetry, art, and music at different venues throughout San Antonio since 2012.
