The poem “The Burdens of Guanajuato”

Welcome Substack paid subscribers and Postcard Poetry subscribers. Click below for commentary and a reading of this poem. Thank you!

The burdens of guanajuato

Adorned in blankets under peddled goods
That gleam like rainbow pots on proud display,
Hooved beasts of burden sturdy heavy woods
Cinched next to fruits and crafts for market days.
Sure-footed over streets of cobblestone,
They twist and rise through endless city walls
Where paints now frame the perfect photo tones
To hold a pose against a cultured sprawl.
A keepsake figurine upon its back
Of precious cargo, spirit, and folklore,
The burro bears a torch to stay on track,
A symbol for tomorrow to explore.
But with unsettled ears from the demand
I’m drawn to offer it a gentle hand.