Some of the poems in this volume previously appeared in the following books by Ricardo Sánchez: Hechizospells (1976), Milhaus Blues and Gritos Norteños (1978), Brown Bear Honey Madness: Alaskan Cruising Poems (1982) and Amsterdam Cantos (y poemsa pistos) (1983).

This book has been made possible through grants from the Texas Commission on the Arts and the Natiioinal Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

Arte Público Press
University of Houston
University Park
Houston,  Texas 77004

All rights reserved
Copyright © 1985 Ricardo Sanchez
Library of Congress Catalog Number: 83-072573
ISBN 0-934770-36-0
Printed in the United States of Amerika

In Memoria
Lina C. Sánchez, 1902-1983
      Beloved and Respected Parents


      the pain is still too new,
      Madrecita querida,
      to channel and direct
      those loving sentiments
      to you which now churn
      within my mind and soul. . .


      In Affirmation
      Rikárd-Sergei Sánchez, first born son,
      Libertad-Yvonne Sánchez, spirited one,
      Jacinto-Temilotzín Sánchez, munchkin-bateau
      Adored Children of my Sun
 
       
      In Loving Confirmation
      María Teresa Silva Sánchez
      Compañera, Esposa y Querida


      family is the ultimate song
      that wafts through mind and soul,
      it is the final arbiter of meaning,
      the cauldron where love stews . . .

                  Selected Poems 

                    Contents


         I. Introduction, by N. Kanellos.......7

        II. Ricardo Sánchez (Sometimes)........9
            Casi Gato AKA.....................11

       III. La Pinta/The Joint................15
            Tiers/Tears.......................17
            11/13/62 and Other Things.........19
            Soledad...........................21
            Ain't Nuttin' for a Stepper.......25
            Soledad Was a Girl's Name.........27
            Juárez Sojourns...................30
            Out/Parole........................32
            Mania.............................34
            Ese, Pues, That's The Way It Is...36
            Otra Vez..........................37
            Say, Tush-Hog Convict.............38
            July 14, 1968: A Visit............40
            Three Days to Go..................42

        IV. Barrios of the World..............45
            Sojourns in Virginny..............47
            Ayer, Ay, Ayer....................49
            Barrios of the World..............51
            Coronado..........................53
            Old Man...........................55
            Fridays Belong to 
            Friends, Sometimes................57
            Next..............................61
            Letter to my Ex-Texas Sanity......68
            Amsterdamn-It-All.................71
            Alaska............................75
            And Would That I Could............79
            Once..............................81
            Festival of Children..............83
            I Know You by Your 
            Smile-Filled Songs, Chinto .......86