Chicano Love and Barrio Streets

A rose grows among the cracked sidewalks, of

the tear stained barrio streets, where happiness

is a luxury and can easily be lost forever.  While

deep in their thoughts a young Chicano couple

are falling in love.

A painting of the Virgin looks down upon streets

which are so far from heaven, yet not so far away,

from hell. Young men strut like roosters, each

wanting to rule for the day, while their women

willingly look to sell their soul for the poison

which temporarily takes the pain away.

Near an old bridge the young couple tries to blend

into its surroundings, far away from prying eyes,

they hide. While an elderly man sells watermelon

helados from a push cart that has seen far better

days.

The young couple is oblivious to the drama being

played out as they steal a playful kiss. Meanwhile

an older couple passes by arguing about money

that runs like water through foolish hands.

Soon the afternoon sun, is swallowed up by the

night, and the barrio streets  become transformed

by the sound of music coming from dimly lit smoke

filled bars. Still, the young couple remain lost in
their own world.

As they share their intimate feelings, they promise

to meet there again the next day. Then after a final

kiss and two forlorn sighs they go their separate

ways. As the final rays of light disappear, both the

rose and the virgin are covered up by the darkness.

Gradually between the hustle and bustle, of cars

trucks, and people upon the noisy barrio streets,

the memories of the day are slowly being erased.
But even so, the virgin and the rose remain.

Frank Solis Copyright 2015

All Rights Reserved

What is Chicano Poetry?

Chicano poetry is feeling the pulse of the

earth beneath ones feet, as it soars up past

the Milky Way and other galaxies. It does

not exist in a cookie cutter cupboard

environment full of constricting negative

stereotypes as some would deem it only

worthy of.

It is not limited by time, space, or

the ambiguous narrow minded bias

of those who would love to keep it in a

place somewhere between the tortillas,

pan dulce and the tamale husks.

No, it is a living, breathing, force, which

lives within the minds, hearts and souls

of the children of the sun.

Like a raging fire glowing, the words its

poets speak illuminate the darkness of

the human condition. It is the pain the

people feel, and also their hidden tears.

It is also joy, and limitless freedom of

choice, for those who listen to its voice

within the silence.

Like the water which feeds parched ground

Chicano poetry, is not one little stream that

runs underground unseen, but a mighty river

of the soul, like the Rio Grande which pours out

into the sea, and feeds the ocean of the mind.

Chicano poetry is poetry written by Chicanos

for the entire world to hear. It can be about

anything and everything. It is the spirit of

Chicanos everywhere, written in blood within

the beauty of the human soul!

Frank Solis

Copyright 2014

All Rights Reserved

 

Chicano Pride

Chicano Pride is first of all about

honor and respect for oneself, for 
ones loved ones, and for others.

It is not about hurting innocent

people, it is about protecting them,

from all the crazy fools in the world.

It’s about being cool, and living up

to ones expectations in life, and seeing

the smiles of our loved ones, instead

of bringing tears to their eyes.

It’s about being a man in the world, and

having that special feeling it brings out

deep inside.

It’s about a woman standing up for her

rights, and self-respect, while seeking the

very best that life has to offer her.

It’s about our children shining like stars

in the night, through the power of education.

Chicano pride is about love and being

loved, without all the lies.

Chicano pride is about realizing where

you came from, and where you are going.

About the power of two mighty empires

flowing within your veins.

Chicano pride is about having the courage

and honor to embrace your true destiny,

which is taking up the scepter of knowledge,

which is the true source of all power in the 
World!

Copyright 2014 Frank Solis
All Rights Reserved

Soy Puro Chicano!

Being a Chicano is really cool.

I don’t need to spend a ton of

feria on tanning products, because

my skin is already golden brown.

I speak three, languages, English,

Spanish, and Spanglish. I also enjoy

the best food in the world, all hot,

spicy, and delicious.

Our women are out of this world,

beautiful, poised, and magnificent.

Our men are strong, proud, and full

of courage.

My heart is full of honor, and respect.

Locos and fools, avoid me because they

know that to mess with me, is to mess

with death.

My heart is full of dreams, love, happiness,

and success. I am brave and defiant and

will not let the past hold me down.

I will spread my wings like an eagle, and

soar high above the pyramids of life. Until

the stars become mine, and they become a

golden crown for my loved ones.

If along the way, someone should ask me,

why I set the bar so high? I will proudly 
say – Porque, Soy Puro Chicano!

Frank Solis Copyright 2014

All Rights Reserved