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  • Fiercely, and: Veracruz Ballplayer Before the Ritual Game, 600 A.D.
  • Carmen Tafolla (bio)

Fiercely

Fiercely feminineunswervingly freeNot of standard formnor designated shape butYes, fiercely femininefrom both the simple solitudeof the one remaining breastand the tenacious vacuum of the other—empty space, some magic pocketthat’s swallowed up the past    face with no mouth    body with no head    eyes stitched shut    table with no breadsome cave hard and hurta jagged mis-shapen scarstrange geography of fleshthat speaks historysings memoryin a gently golden cone of etheric lightinvisible to all but the alma’s eyesThe one-winged dove coos to remember flightThe one-eyed coyote howls to surviveThis body, seemingly strange and unfinished,is undamaged, unscarredstill fiercely feminineunfailingunmarred [End Page 163]

Veracruz Ballplayer Before the Ritual Game, 600 A.D.

Ahead—the game.A dance of destined graceA God’s awakening of spirit strengthA labored prayer of life’s final sport

This is the equinoxMy life at highest bloomAnd then the sun goes outthe spirit leaves my eyesthe fast hot wind of gamedeparts my lungswith not a tiniest glance backIt turns its face and leaves.

I’ll miss the ballthe breath of lifethe wind of speedthe joy of life’s full effort

Ahead—the gamea dancemy life [End Page 164]

Carmen Tafolla
Chicana
Carmen Tafolla

Tafolla, Carmen was named the first Poet Laureate of the City of San Antonio, and is the author of five books of poetry, eight children’s books and many other volumes. A co-founder of CantoMundo Latino Literary Workshop and the recipient of many awards, including the Art of Peace, for writing which contributes to peace, justice and human understanding, and the 2010 Americas Award, she has been recognized by the National Association of Chicana/Chicano Studies for “writing which gives voice to the peoples and the cultures of this land.”

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