This Fence is Not Yet a Wall

a poem by Victoria Elizabeth Ruwi

Conchshells bellow, welcome watchers

alongthe San Diego/Mexican border.

Seagullsland atop fence protruding into

theocean, listen, fly freely on either side.

Templegongs eclipse suspended cymbals’

clisp-clam,rain sticks shimmy; maracas,

castanets,vuvuzelas, interplay with border

crossingwaves. We, the audience pied piper

intothe reverb, hear musicians on both sides,

seelisteners stepping from Playa de Tijuana

towardthe fence. Cranked air raid sirens shriek

amidchimes. We, the ensemble, walk into the

music,barred by steel barriers tucked in between

barrios.Sweetly piccolos play with glockenspiels

inconcert finale, then silence before applause.

Musiciansabandon instruments, mutually turn,

standon each side of dense metal mesh fence,

touch the only flesh touchable: fingertips.

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