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
thevanquished 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

Juan Felipe Herrera