Rio Born by Roberto A Lopez
I am,of that immigrant swashwhich washed forthonto the shore,born ofthe Big River. Not quite the lore and roarof the Mississippi,but the hushed and thick brownand mesquité green,the wily horned-toad andthorny cactus fiend,fenced in with patrol dogsand javelina hogs,and palm trees andAmerican flags andMexican flags,and people wanting— I hearaccordion, banda,Tucanes, watcha!Oye! Migra! Mestizo!I tastebistec, aguacate, cilantro,horchata,I […]
My America is Your America by April Cox
Your America is the land of the free and the brave,The best nation on earth.My America is the land of hatred,the land of racism, and sexism and status quo.Your America is the home of the American dream,Where hard work determines your reward.My American is a land of disperit inequalityAnd a distinct lack of social mobility […]
MODERN NAIVETE by Christian Garduno
I was so naive even six months ago I look back + I want to slap myself across the face I thought I was really beginning to understand and this year I was giving myself an honest chance I was going bold in a world bored by ‘playing it safe’ I believed the government had […]
A California Dream by Adrian Slonaker
Caressed by a bucket seat in a cascade blue ’63 Mercury Monterey convertible, I crave the comfort of my companion’s hand while sharing the salty tenderness of those In-N-Out fries with “Proverbs 24:16” printed on the pack and belly laughs from a bad pun before kissing his neckbeard and noticing his turmeric-speckled smile in rush-hour […]
America’s Unconstitutional Grill by Bob McNeil
Near the counter, One seat away from a guy named Uncle Sam, I sat in America’s Unconstitutional Grill, Notorious for its discrimination special. Recollections took my psyche traveling Throughout gripped and whipped generations. I remembered Sam’s culture-ramming family Capturing my kin And reducing them to abused horses In a round pen. My temper went from […]
