Ojos de tapatio - Maura Velez
Ojos de tapatio - Maura Velez
I am from the throat scratching stomach burning brandi in my father’s bar
and the smell of carne asada cooking on a gray grill on a summer afternoon
I am from crooked pinky toe’s and big tapatío eyes,
ojos de tapatio
from green bamboo plants only because they never die.
from chile verdes y rojos
and a yellow lemon tree only because it’s essential
I am from tortillas de maiz wrapped in a table cloth, tacos de lengua, asada, pastor and frijoles
because they go with everything.
I am from “La verdad siempre sale, tarde que temprano’ and “Mensa te dije”
I am from the lack of stability my family has in staying in one house not ten
from losing close family over my aunts horrible gossip skills
I am from the tears coming down my mother's cheeks when my aunt told her she had cancer
from luigi coming to live with us and suddenly moving away after his first seizure
from my tio moving in with us after crossing the border.
from my father flipping burgers and attending adult classes too owning a successful business
from “You can't make it your a mexican guy with no money and a family”
I am undocumented and proud
and donald trump wont make me bow.