Christ in a Cholo Stance

Then they had their tattoos removed,

exchanged sangre-red paños

for white kerchiefs blessed

by a Joshua Tree.

But Joshua trees grow in Aztlán too.

I felt a fire kindle in my belly

& spoke as the Spirit gave me utterance:

of Heaven & Hell

of jail cells & social justice.

Finally, the congregation took note.

They took a vote & I was

sentenced to deportation

for lacking two forms of identification.

I looked at the Cross, a Son

burning with the flames of Six Suns.

& there was

God,

a golden idol

of Christ in a cholo stance.

Arms wide, head sporting a beanie

of thorns,

He looked me up & down & said,

What are you looking at,

Dog?