Palo

This poem was inspired by an art installation by photographer, Pablo
Delano, “The Museum of the Old Colony.” After reading and facilitating my
“Visceral Viewing” writing workshops as part of the exhibition at the
Hampshire College Art Gallery, I created a series of poems inspired by the
installation. This poem became my original poem for a series of “Palo”
poems. I am grateful to Pablo Delano and Amy Halliday for inviting me and
for an inspiring/daring/deeply researched/educational/anti-colonial exhibit.
The image that conjured this poem from me depicts armed Boricua women
standing guard over their countrywomen. I encourage you to learn more
about Delano’s work:
http://museumoftheoldcolony.org


That little pistol in your anemic hand
is more piss than pistol, mi’jita.
It gives you away. You know
you’re on the wrong side of things.
What did they promise?
Milk for your child?
That agua tindanga
from the palangana
of corporations in cahoots
with our sterilization,
annihilation,
exploitation;
milk that is no milk,
it is meao de gato
in powdered form
bleached white.
They are very big on bleach.

Did they promise you
a crown of stars from their flag?
Seamed stockings?
Chocolate and church bells?
A job to open your mouth
and swallow pills for nervios?

You don’t have nervios, mi’ja.
What you have is malnutrition
that makes your brain panic
at the sight of anything
that threatens your access
to the scraps from their tables.

We are a ripped stem of
unripened quenepas
in their brutish hands
to pluck
bite into skin
suck the seed bald
then spit.

They are too pendejo know
those seeds will grow.

You see how my hands hold each other?
You think I am afraid.
You think I’m praying.
You think I’m anxious.
You think I’m protecting a mouse
to keep for a pet in dark, airless rooms
hidden beneath a sheet
of paper mattress.
No, hermanita.

I am holding Jayuya, Ponce, Río Piedras
I am holding Utuado y San Juan
I am holding what has been and what is to come.
I am holding Peñuelas, Mayagüez, y Naranjito
I am holding El Grito that belongs
to more than Lares.
I am holding La Perla.
I am holding El Fanguito.
I am holding Blanca Canales.
I am holding Agüeybana.
I am holding names that will rise again.
I am holding Ghosts and their caracoles.
I am holding Ancestral Spirits and their dancing.
I am holding Orishas and their magic.
I am holding the knowing
of where I came from.
I am holding you, hermana.
You are my sister.