Sonoran Hell

crossing the Sonoran desert in Arizona by Mexicans seeking work is a nightmare

I drove many hours

thinking, wondering

through on Interstate 8
Paved
gazed at blurry streaks
from within air conditioned comfort
hours and hours 
at 70 miles per
350 miles across Arizona
temps at 105 outside
in shade
Pondered wondered 
awestruck
and shocked
that human flesh 
would dare to cross
on foot . . . 
stopped to pee 
along the side
wandered 
into Sonoran Hell
how could any human tell
navigation route 
past cacti reptile labyrinth 
maze?
30 paces in and I 
concede
damn the passerbys
I’ll relieve
and then turn tail 
back to metallic steed
abandon this desert
Sonoran Hell
under a cold full moon
i see shadows 
stealthy crossing 
this desert terrain 
riddled with myriad 
thorny cacti 
cholla dreaded 
diabolical
unearthly plant
needle sharp 
spines
cacti species 
plethoric 
various 
innumerable
teeming
Sonoran Hell
jagged wasteland
volcanic rock 
igneous, mysterious
alien planet
eons old
lizards, spiders,
vipers sidewinding
thermal tongues 
forked protruding
glistening grey 
by moon’s 
one quarter million
mile reflection
on Sonoran Hell
three shadows human
trudging scared
silent crossing 
desert night 
engulfing
one abandoned
corpse behind
lying stiff
by viper’s bite
perceived by those 
on this, Our Side 
as the enemy
to be met with bullet 
and shout
crossing Arizona sand
Sonoran Hell

mighty mojave desert land
invisible boundary line
backed by helicopter
laser light 
infrared mighty

cavalry soldier 
shepherd canine
shredding machines

aligned designed
with cactus thorns
to rip brown-burnt
human flesh
for Safe Borders