Poetry

David Armstrong David Armstrong

My México

Pedro Jesús Martínez - State University of New York at Fredonia

Where would I be? If not for the resilient values you instilled in me, That for generations, handcrafted a successful lineage of mothers and fathers. Though they lie about your sovereignty,  And pin you as the plague of our continent, They forget who picks the crops that feed their greed. A willing ignorance, of course. 

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David Armstrong David Armstrong

Black Face / Art Or Erasure

Emerson Amaya - Arizona State University

What is art if it requires the erasure of the living
to resurrect the imagined? I think of my brothers, one just old enough to vote, the other about to graduate, my sister still young enough to believe the world listens. If they saw a man paint himself to resemble them would they call it art? Would they recognize themselves in the imitation

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David Armstrong David Armstrong

Whiskey and Silence

Phillip Hill - University of Arkansas at Little Rock

This one was easier than others to reconcile within myself. An inability to give a shit about certain people was something I could wrap my mind around. This was how we grew our understanding of one another. Him a father that had long sense lost the luster of a hero in my eyes. And me, a son who had become a man, a peer, a trusted friend but wasn’t really a son anymore.

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David Armstrong David Armstrong

Watching Cherries Bleed

Carly Ermer - University of the Incarnate Word

I’ve admired and imagined, But each scenario turns to an I wish, And reality becomes a blank page awaiting A story to be written;
Never to be.

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David Armstrong David Armstrong

Chains & Veils

Elizabeth Villareal - University of the Incarnate Word

A mother too young, a girl too small— no time to grow, no room to fall. Bruises on my skin and soul, life demanding I play the role— but I ate the heartbreak, bitter and raw, felt love crack like broken law. Each vow that crumbled, each stare that hollowed.
Left me wondering, is anyone bothered?

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David Armstrong David Armstrong

The Pomegranate

Jenna Scandale - University of Delaware

Time traded for convenience Durability mistaken for callousness
Blame assigned to the nature of a thing Anyhow the pomegranate stains, Lingers Does not go down softly Even the kiwi, exotic, does not require so much attention.

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David Armstrong David Armstrong

Boyfriend

by Brenna Julian - University of Louisville

I don’t want a boyfriend because I don’t want anyone to know me better than I do. I want to know my curves, the heat of my breath. I want to draw deep, sensation succumbing to belief. Epiphany of touch. I want to fear no revelation.

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David Armstrong David Armstrong

I’m brown and proud

Jose Ochoa - University of the Incarnate Word

to be Chicano is to succeed and achieve all your dreams at the highest level to do everything con pasión y amor y estar presente en todos los momentos que presente la vida to be chicano es tener amor por la cultura

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