Ethnic Poetry

The ethnic poet said: "The earth is maybe

a huge maraca/ and the sun is a trombone/
and life/ is to move your ass/ to slow beats."
The ethnic audience roasted a suckling pig.

The ethnic poet said: "Oh thank Goddy, Goddy/
I be me, my toenails curled downward/
deep, deep into Mama earth."
The ethnic audience shook strands of sea shells.

The ethnic poet said: "The sun was created black/
so we should imagine light/ and also dream/
a walrus emerging from the broken ice."
The ethnic audience beat on sealskin drums.

The ethnic poet said: "Reproductive organs/
Eagles nesting California redwoods/
Shut up and listen to my ancestors."
The ethnic audience ate fried bread and honey.

The ethnic poet said: "Something there is that
doesn't love a wall/That sends
the frozen found-swell under it."
The ethnic audience deeply understood humanity.

-- Julio Marzan



Julio Marzan
Puerto Rico, NYC


Julio Marzan is the fourth poet laureate of Queens. Learn more about him and check out
another of his poems on his website: http://juliomarzan.com/poetry/toc/the-pure-preposition/