Otra Taza, Compa
   ©1995 by Phil Durán

   we've not had our last cup of coffee, compa
   we must talk again, and again
   in tribute to the many 
   who could not join us
   around this solemn table

   here there is no forbidden menu
   or the hashing of browns
   who came over easy
   and then sold themselves to their masters
   or the mincing of words
   to euphemize our circumstances

   during a few poetic moments
   someone cared to listen to us
         but not all
   when we were the voice of the voiceless ones,
   we remembered the forgotten ones 
   who toil hard and always stay behind
   carrying their invisible humanity
   through centuries of grief

   their bodies are dying daily 
   but their moral courage is indestructible,
   the undeclared war against the indigenous
   continues to rage
   but still
   their beauty visits us where we sit here
   shining through the rubble
   and adorning our conversation

   but my soul feels the pain 
   of what my mind says
   an obscene present
   was never meant to be,
   the cheerful songs 
   of the chiapanecas and chiapanecos:
   do they speak of a once happy past
   or do they predict a bright future?

   too many questions left to discuss, carnal,
   and much to do,
   your voice is needed now more than ever

   and there are many in your healing circle
   reciprocating your humanity
   carrying you from winter into the spring time,
   for the circle of life has no ending,
   spring always follows winter.

   our strong women have always kept things together.
   the Palousian Poets stand with others 
   in your corner-
   in that the literary space 
   you have created around the world,
   including el "Tigre" Pérez
   uno de Los Cuatro along with you 
   in the days of El Movimiento
   who went on his journey today
   crossing the last border

   and Yevgeny Yevtushenko says
   you're one of the best gifts of God in his life

   otra tazita de café, compa
   and many more to come...
   too much to be done
   and we need to celebrate
   the liberation of many
                                  --march 1995