“SI SE PUEDE!”

The sun shone down bright and hot,
even though it was only 10:00 a.m.
on a spring day.
April 10th 2006.
Arizona sky only slightly overcast,
a hazy cover of light clouds,
a gift offered to us from Creator,
even though we,
Children Of The Sun were created,
strong, able to overcome, blazing heat.
A very slight breeze blowing by when necessary,
cooling the sweat dripping off of our bodies.
On this day, mi Raza, were not bent over in the fields for hours,
picking vegetables for meager pay and little respect.
No, on this day, three of my own children, my grandson and myself,
were waiting to march
amongst a throng of at least one hundred thousand
people.
Most were “Mexicanos”
but there were also many others present
we were all Children Of The Sun that day.

“SI SE PUEDE!”

That familiar, motivational grito, rang loud and clear
throughout the crowd amassed
on this historical date.
As far as the eye could see,
Mi gente stood, every shade of skin,
from creamy vanilla, to dark cinnamon brown.
The ages of the crowd varied just as much,
from bebe’s only a few months old,
to viejitos with faces crisscrossed with proudly etched lines.
A road map to battle grounds they had trampled across,
during their lifetime.

“SI SE PUEDE!”

Hands clapping,
feet stomping,
There was a visual ripple of determination & excitement,
pride and hope shone brightly in dark eyes.
I have always known,
the blood that courses through my veins,
is strong, rich with the warrior spirit
of my indigenous ancestors.
But on that day, standing united
with brothers and sisters, who I had never met before,
(But, God willing, I would someday meet again)
I could clearly see, we were all Children Of The Sun.

“SI SE PUEDE!”

My warrior

That day, a spirit moved me.
I swear to you on all that is Holy to me,
I heard Creators voice,
Gentle, yet full of strength, urging us,
Children Of The Sun to march on!
“Be strong mijita, SI SE PUEDE!”
Finally, i took up the grito myself:

‘SI SE PUEDE! SI SE PUEDE! SI SUE PUEDE!
NOSOTROS NO SON, CRIMINALES, SOMOS TRABAJADORES!
SI SE PUEDE! SI SE PUEDE! SI SE PUEDE!’

One foot, in front of the other
I began to follow the steps of my fore fathers.
I began the most meaningful walk of my lifetime,
with tears of determination pouring from my eyes.

“SI SE PUEDE.”

Rose Valencia
© April 12th 2006
July 15, 2012