A Scant Youth

I don’t remember exactly when I stopped being a kid

It seemed to have gradually ended 

Like how a soccer ball slowly deflates with every kick

My father taught me how to play soccer

He found it important to pass on such an important part of our Hispanic culture

For hours we would play

Our patchy dried up yard became a world class stadium 

The fear of an uncertain tomorrow was subsided through soccer matches between 

father and son

Until the sirens came to spectate

I had never been more terrified of the color green in my life

I didn’t even know the meaning of I.C.E at the time

Son translate what the officer is saying

For five years, I played soccer on my own

I felt that kick

We constantly face adversity in this foreign land

For simply wanting a better life

Our mere presence raises emotions of animosity

But they forget 

They forget that we were once children who also just wanted to play soccer

You have to be the new man of the house 

Find a job outside of school

Care for your siblings when you get home

Child, no now your a clown

Juggling school, work, and family

My dreams and aspirations became burdens

Soccer?

No time for that

Let the ball get kicked by someone else

But it just sat there 

On the barren yard

Its white paint flaking off as the sunlight penetrated the outer coating

It longed to be used 

To bring back happiness, to a naive child who simply wanted to play soccer