Graciela’s Blog
Blend rather than mix
A young man in northern New Mexico talked about his family’s seven generations on their ranch. All the way back to the Spaniards. His ancestry also includes Native tribes. The cultures coming together across the generations. I used the word “mixed” He...
About to . . .
Water goes quiet just before it boils Young children look like clowns just before they wail I Am that moment of transition Not fully here Yet not arrived there That moment of waiting and acting at the same time poetry and photo by Grace Lightfoot...
Pineapple for the Women with Beautiful Hair
Kids from ranches and barrios. Border Patrol kids and State of Texas kids. Shoe salesman kids and plumber and welder and seamstress kids. And in my school room, I never saw an apple on a teacher’s desk. I never saw a kid give my teacher an apple. Doesn’t mean it...
Neighbor in the Nighttime
That raccoon calls every night For many nights Maybe weeks Its soft trilled story travels the night Tells everything in my heart Touches wounds and happy memories Together Every night It sits in the same place. Talks Every night I lie in the same bed. Listen And wish...
Fourth of July 2015
I can’t keep their names straight Anymore. I used to try. Now it feels hopeless. I didn’t see Magic cringe When Dylann entered the room to join the Bible Study. I didn’t hear Mystery weep The angels in the room wept As parishioners warmly welcomed the white boy to...