The engine on the lawn mower roars to life,

Behind it, a homely gardener emerges,

The sweat on his brow glistens in the sun.

He stops to rest and turns to the street,

Visions of his family miles away begin to cloud his mind.

He stares solemnly at the clouds and goes back to work. 

Never once does he complain.

                      -Aimee Ortiz