Perico on the Pavement
I peeked through the brown paper shades
that covered our windows
He was being pummeled by another man
there was blood everywhere
Perico grunted profanities
the vato beating him was taking out all his rage
While beating up Perico, he went
through his pockets
Perico grunted profanities
he removed a wallet from Perico’s dirty jeans
The guy flipped through his wallet and threw
away family photos, an ID and what looked
like fake bills of different colors, it was Monopoly
money and I almost laughed but
Perico had blood all over his face
The man turned to look
and saw me peeking behind the shades
he smiled
put his finger to his lips
I nodded in nervous agreement
and walked away.
I was a little chavalito watching cartoons
When I heard a scuffle outside. Even now,
grunting profanities and bleeding,
Perico lies in the pavement of my dreams
