BL Poets: 100% Mexican-American

National Poetry Month

Photo: Salvatore Vuono

100% Mexican-American
By Christina Ortega Phillips

Say what you want, but
I love the trumpets’
blare, paired with the bass,
I can hardly wait
for the right time to
let mi grito loose.
I also rock out
To Elton, Petty,
Mellencamp, Journey,
Madonna and Cher.
My heart’s rhythm beats
a zappaterra,
but my feet can tap
out others, too; I
can slide electric
just as easily
as I can cumbia.
Pepsi and Kool-aid
can quench my thirst, but
sometimes I just need
to crack open a
Jarritos bottle.

Hot dogs, hamburgers,
mac and cheese—all these
can be great. Sometimes
I spend all my day
in la cocina
making tortillas,
arroz, frijoles,
like mi abuela
showed me how to do.
My accent may be
American when
I speak, but when I
act, my accent can
be Mexican, too.

Calling all poets! We’ll be posting your poetry throughout the entire month. Send us your best poem, from now until April 27th.