It was a time freeze; in those 15 seconds
I knew it was inexorably coming…that my death
Was at hand. In the lapse before the constellation
of 200 bullets perforated my body beyond recognition...
I was kissing life goodbye. My breathing seemed suspended as
It dawned; I’d leave my wife alone, and my son fatherless
I felt powerless and petrified…If only I…
Had not gone that morning to buy water
Only to meet death face to face - in the lapse
Of only 15 seconds! This sucks; I was armed!
I should have reacted to save my life, yet I was in
Complete shock, when I faced that semi-automatic rifle
For the shitty amount they paid me…I should not
Have died so viciously; as I look down at my
Splattered blood and drinking water, it was over the instant
a bullet penetrated my heart. To support my family
I became a state police on the Chihuahuan border
Fighting narcos became an uphill battle...
Between the low morale, greed, and fear of reprisals
This sucks! As I listen on my own funeral
My beautiful wife consumed with grief, uncertain
Of what her future will be…as my pension is...
as shitty as my salary was, yet, I did whatever
To supplement it. Was my life worth such a pittance?
The days pass, yet I am still here disoriented
It takes a while for me to figure out
That I can now actually pass through walls
I am not solid; I am my ethereal self
Yet the pain lessens no less, as I witness my
Wife's inconsolable tears as she embraces our little baby
Dear God, have mercy - have you forsaken us?
No one is spared here, not even children
Or the 4 year old hostage held for ransom
For the stupefying amount of 7,000 dollars
Dear God, please protect my family
Dear God, have mercy…on my soul
Based on La Opinion's article: "Juarez: son 15 segundos para morir." March 16, 2009
