"Mission Street Manifesto" by Juan Felipe Herrera

Mission Street Manifesto

for all varrios

Blow out the jiving smoke the plastic mix the huddling straw of the dying mind

and rise sisters rise brothers and spill the song and sing the blood that calls

the heart the flesh that has the eyes and gnaws the chains and blow

and break through the fuse the military spell the dreams of foam

make the riff jump the jazz ignite the wheel burn the blade churn rise

and rise sisters rise brothers and spill the song and sing the blood that calls

the ancient drums the mineral fists the rattling bones of gold

on fire the lava flow the infinite stream the razor wave 

through the helmet the holy gun the Junta the seething boot

shake it do the shing-a-ling the funky dog of sun and moon

pull out the diamonds from your soul the grip of light the stare of stars 

rip the wires invade the air and twist the scales and tear the night

go whirling go singeing go shining go rumbling go rhyming

our handsome jaws of tender truth ours shoulders of sweating keys

to crack the locks the vaults of hands the dome of tambernacle lies

and rise sisters rise brothers and spill the song and sing the blood that calls

out swing out the breathing drums the tumbling flutes the hungry strings 

and spin a flash deep into the sorrow of the silent skull

the vanquished lips the conquered song the know in the belly of earth

break out through the fenders the angel dust kiss the methadone rooms

go chanting libre chanting libre go chanting libre