hoy lloré
   cuando lo anunciaron,
   i hear them mispronouncing your name...
   pero mañana
   todavía te recordaremos
  -April 23, 1993

   César Chávez

   César Estrada Chávez
   born in a barrio
   between labor camps of hunger
   in the forced sequence of migrant life
   & later followed the crops on his own
   out of necessity
   & one day found himself arrested 
   for sitting on the wrong side of the aisle
   in a movie theatre
   with his wife Helen...
   it was the seating policy 
   for Chicanos/Mexicanos
   in those days

   you never changed
   never turned to violence
   never turned against 
   your own people
           like the vendidos of today
           who sell themselves to oppressive systems
   never wore the flashy necktie of the elite
           or the arrogant collar of the powerful
                   or the pretentious mask of hypocrites
   sí, 
   you were a campesino at heart
           to the very end

   we have always remembered 
   your personal kindness
   when you came to Pullman
   & my son Jerry drove you around town
   & Melva García's mother said
   "ay, que hombre" because
   you wanted your oatmeal 
   without milk or sugar

   ahora descansa, carnal
   en el seno del Dios viviente
   sleep & rest
   no más huelgas para ti
   or injurious fasts 
   or agonizing frustrations
   or endless miles 
           of walking & talking
   carrying the banner of justice
   to the deaf & blind 
           whose ears do not want to hear
           & eyes do not want to see
   who now grudgingly acknowledge you
   in your death
   as a "worthy advocate for your cause"
   yes,
   they are profiteers at heart
           to the very end

   you felt the pain 
           & sought some gain 
   for mestizo nomads & their families
   who are called migrant farm workers
   but real humans
   who feel the "wrath of grapes"
   the poison of chemicals
   in the killing fields of business
   as luscious food reaches our tables
   & well-fed legislators in Washington State
           make deals with the governor
   a health care package for "all" citizens
   but not for our citizens

   you left us suddenly
   in a moment of sleep
   dying as you lived
           always busy 
           never violent
   working for raza
   con corazón de raza
           a warmth toward others
   a precious value
   that America does not yet 
   accept or understand

   no one can replace you, César
   but you're not really gone
   your legacy lives 
   telling us to
   carry on, carry on, carry on