Cover and
Copyright Page

Marisol,
Iguana Woman

Man of Steel

Todos Colgados

Fridays
at Western Union

Grave Revelation

Celulistas

Cubreviento

Preludio
a Nezahualcoyotl

Sometimes
They Can Read Lips

Already She Knows

Fridays at Western Union

Fridays at Western Union
are the worst.
Sometimes you stand in line 
for at least 15 minutes.
Men in scuffed work boots
& calloused hands
cage you in.
Once in awhile a Salvadoreño
or Cubano asks for help,
"Oye Coño, me puedes ayudar"
At the roof of your mouth
Your tongue pushes rr's
You once rolled as a kid.
His eyes blink brown
when you say, "I don't understand."
Unable to mouth words
your mother sang under
moons of pueblo earth
you turn towards game machines
& glimmering payphones 
ashamed to speak English like the radio.




                               —by Radames Ortiz