VICIOUS

VICENTE DE ZALDÍVAR

New Mexico, 1598

As Juan de Oñate’s nephew, I march

to avenge the death of my brother

who was killed by villagers

while trying to conquer them.

The Acoma leader Zutacapán

knows our weakness, this need

for food, as we demand corn, beans,

squash, and then more corn—the true gold

of hungry soldiers.

Fire.

Blood.

I seize Acoma and chop off the feet

of twenty-four men, in order to set a horrifying

example for the others. Yes, Oñate’s violence

is like a fever, contagious, destroying

everything in its path, including

my conscience.