To Life: A Poem • Que viva: un poema

by Bryan Vosseler

Introduction- To our Mexican hosts

This is a poem dedicated to all who are present to peace in the heart of Mexico.

History

Written while breathing the mountain air of Camp Mazahua on my last day of the conference of The Baptist Fellowship of Peace in San Felipe del Progreso, México.

The poem - To Life

In my first step
in the hispanic
world,
I got

lost.

In this step...
the last
for now...
I say,

“It’s nice that
I haven’t gotten
lost.”

Upon exploring
the camp,
I’m in
a narrow
alleyway

with chickens,
brick,
stone,
and

the metal
gate
closes.

¿How
does it open?
shaking, trembling

¿HOW
DOES IT
OPEN?

I find myself
trapped.

And I ponder,
as my Mexican
Mexico City dweller
friends
say,

How…
awesome.

And a voice
with a Mexican accent
springs forth

“Can I
help
you?”

And I remember
other
voices

of prophets
of Christ

that have come
to proclaim
liberty to the
captives.

And
I find myself
free.

May Christ
live
in us.

And while looking
at the earth
where I plant my
feet

I say
in this...
my last step
for now...
in the hispanic
world

To life
long live as well
Mexico.