People walking around towards places they go
Like ants in suits of gray, black and color
Some briskly in a rush some pace real slow
From this face to that ground, nobody is taller
These feet over the edge of a narrow plank of wood
Either a slight step back or further on wont do
A safe stride gradually to the left neither could
To face the right angle render this one view to two
Really quick breaths drying these words
A dawdling murder of a young childlike mind
Relief is at hand soaring with the birds
Brightness through clouds renders eyes blind
Awakened, enlightened from a world unshaken
Now risen from comfort with arms wide open
This poem explains the extraordinary experience of Antonio. As a child, he acted differently from other children. His distance from that of the normal way children of his age would act and his tiresome pursuit for answers towards his confusion over his beliefs was reconciled when he was introduced by Ultima to a different manner of viewing things. He was Awakened, enlightened from a world unshaken now risen from comfort with arms wide open.
Grateful Praise
You are the water
Quenching my thirst
Keeping me afloat
Cleansing my being
You are the water
That bathes me from sin
Yours is the touch
Calming my fear
Soothing me from ache
Healing my pain
Yours is the touch
Shaking my uncertainties
You free me
From bondage
From folly
From hardship
You free me
You free me
Mother, you free me
This work, Grateful Praise, highlights the symbol of Marias statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe. It is the emblem of patience, repentance and perpetual help. Apart from Ultima, Antonio turns to the Virgin Mother whenever he seeks guidance. The statue also symbolizes the settlement of the Catholic Church with the native practices.
Movement of Faith
I look over my right shoulder and see the western river and the glory of a stone mountain
With colorfully stained windows and sculptures of men and women in robes adorned
The light of the sun that blinds most men shines upon the big gray rock
Hands moving from foreheads down to chests then to both sides of shoulders
Tongues chanting then sinning then repenting then sinning then chanting
A long line for a piece of bread that supposedly brings life to a souls death
Amidst mouths gracefully calling me to look over my left shoulder and see beyond the trees
Where tree barks refresh, an old owl guides, and magic exists and a carp guards the world
But in front of me
I choose what life is
This poem pictures out both Catholic and indigenous beliefs and how Antonio is situated amongst all available options. In the end, he realizes that in front of him, Ultima guides him towards moral independence.
The Chalice
A door from afar shut closed and so tight
Clearly almost out of this clouded sight
This stupor perhaps clouds bounds
After the thousands of rounds
Taken to reduce the regret
I would never have let
My own he must see
That he can be
Whoever he wishes
Whatever he wishes
The door is still shut
It is and will be but
This place, here
Will do, I fear
Its rather fine
To leave all behind
Sundays, will be for Him
For Him, for them, not whim
This poem symbolizes the experience of Gabriel as he encounters a moment of regret when they left the llano for town. He drank occasionally and bickers with his wife yet eventually accepts the situation showing maturity and growth. He also advices his son that he could become a vaquero just if he wants to.
Ultima
She is the dream that awakened
The dream that buried a future
Resolved conflict none could amend
Directed a soul to nurture
The light that gave a map to lead
A good life of independence
From beliefs requiring great need
For sacrifice and obedience
But obedience not towards ones good
But towards a life others would deem
A life one definitely could
Have, but not what would always seem
Her death will always be a start
Of another life, a promise
That choice does come from ones kind heart
And not from books nor a bread and a chalice
This work explains the influence of Ultima towards the life of Antonio. Her mysticism and indigenous practice paved the way for Antonios inquisition about moral choices. Although she died at the end of the novel, it would never mean the end of Antonios maturity but rather the start of Antonios full moral independence.
All Is The Same
Floating on water
Calm with the sun shining bright
Furious with dark gray clouds and a thunders roaring might
For thirty one years, fingers, arms, toes
Badly wrinkled
How the deep blue embraces a body and turns it into a prune
Swimming in the water
Calm with the sun shining bright
Furious with dark gray clouds and a thunders roaring might
For thirty one years, fingers, arms, toes
Badly wrinkled
How the deep blue embraces a body and turns it into a prune
Playing in the water
Calm with the sun shining bright
Furious with dark gray clouds and a thunders roaring might
For thirty one years, fingers, arms, toes
Badly wrinkled
How the deep blue embraces a body and turns it into a prune
Floating on water
Swimming in the water
Playing in the water
All is the same
This poem clearly pictures out how cultural influence makes a person identity. Antonios culture has made up his identity. Just like water, whatever one does on it, when one is immersed in it, it wrinkles the skin. As long as one is within it, whatever one does, the effect of culture will always be apparent.
The Rage of a Father
Hurt is for hurt
Pain is for pain
The knife that sliced her life away
The breath that faded into silence
Is you
A life for a life
And yours is at stake
Theres no more left in mine
Its source you have put outShes gone.
And sheStanding in line
Yours is not yours to keep.
Now revenge is mine
This poem explains the anger of Tenorio towards the ill fate of his daughters. He placed the blame over innocent people with no consideration for the consequences of his actions. In pursuit of revenge, he murders two people yet not bringing back the life of her daughter.
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