Poetry: “Reel” life lessons
By hola | Published | No Comments
Scene with Edward James Olmos
(Zoot Suit 1981)
His Pachuco talk,
his Pachuco walk,
his Pachuco swagger.
He is on the side
of the heroes
and the fools.
The black zoot suit,
the red shirt with wide collars,
the crucifix hanging below his heart.
He is the right
and the wrong
of Henry Reyna.
Snaps the fingers
and plays the piano
to the tune of laughter.
He is a shadow from the streets
or a black light darkening
a crack on the moon.
He knows Sleepy Lagoon
what lies in the deep
waiting to be awakened.
He brings nickels
to the court trial,
the carnival with restless rides.
And by the end,
He is cornered
by acrobats who spit fire.
He curls
himself
into a fetal position.
And bellows
his naked,
native cry.
We are 14, laughing
in Ms. Bari’s class
when we first hear it.
We are 14, crying
in the streets when we
see the first chalk outline.
“When Love Was Reels” (Poetry) by José B. González. Ed. Arte Público Press.
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