We Are By Heidi Juel
From Chiapas
it rises ---
pum
pum po
una mujer,
feeling the beat
begins to sing
singing in green
setting it free
vistas en verde
valleys and springs
singing the strength
of the trees
In Chihuahua
una curandera
moves through the desert ---
pum
pum po
singing the color of sand
Gathering pollen and herbs,
she sings of the rich
browns and reds and violets
of the desert at dusk
drawing from these
el poder del lugar
Rarámuri strength
to sing
to heal
In el norte una madre
weeps for ones lost:
Aztlán is left again
in Germany
in Korea
Vietnam
the undulating blue of the ocean
lugubrious
engulfs her
and in the rise and swell
she hears
pum
pum po
---no te vayas---
she mourns for them in blue
From a barrio bus
una hija is pushed
through the folding doors
onto the street
Midst city toil and tears
she hears
pum
pum po
but the command intercepts:
JUST SAY NO
she turns to go,
wavering notes in shades of grey
slipping away
pum
pum po
Feel the beat, m’ija
Listen: We are singing ---
You are this song