2024/Armando -

I am from the Land of Canyons

from flaming sunsets and rare saguaros

I am from the roaring jets under the blues sky

Towering mountains and crisp air it tasted like adventure

I am from the Land of Opportunity

the New World

whose people are free I remember

as if they were my own

I’m from El Tri donde las guitarras suenan fuerte y el grito del mariachis

from los perros vagan por las calles and carne chisporroteante y lemans agrios

I’m from the New Grande and the

golden violet sunsets,

from the Land of Coffee and shiny emeralds!

I’m from the sucursal del cielo

with a spunk of cumbia

And ten purple dandelions I can paint myself.

I’m from empanadas and sancocho,

Chilaquiles and queso fresco.

From the famila that I almost lost.

to the warm hugs and kisses,

used to keep me small like a baby

Under my bed was a book

Spilling knowledge out of the pages

One that stood out - a black page with white writing that helped me achieve my goals

to drift beneath my dreams

I am from those moments that were cherished before I stopped to wonder

Why did my parents say I fell from heaven?