In Memoriam... raúl r. salinas (1934-2008)

This poem was wrote by raúl r. salinas. A well-know political activist, poet, and a dear friend. His was poem was featured in our own "Austin Downtown Arts Magazine," (January - February 2002).

"Bass in Yo' Face" by raúl r. salinas

pa' las scattered ashes de
mi camarada, Keith Ferguson

We Remember You, Ese!
in some South Town saloon
beyond soap creek
where Lobos howled
at the moon
while gonzo goons
fakirs in turbans
thunderbird wine/os
drinking native blood
racism floods the stage
rage at joo harpies
harping like so many
culture vultures
pillaging ancestral
music grounds

We Remember You, Ese!
in pink cadillac
cruisin' 6th. St.
East of the Freeway
on the "wrong side" of the wall
calling forth that morpheus
muse in hues of blues
up
'n'
down
alleyways
beyond Chief Bar
sweatin' ol' 14
(or whatever connection man)
to bring de mud/
puddles of poison
black tar
scars and abscesses
mar the bodyscape.

We Remember You, Ese!
exchanging fifties fotos
of pachuco poets
& seventies snapshots
of boss bassist
tocando al revez.
2 cats con tattoos
comparison en calo.

If you enjoyed his work, you can continue reading more about him through our articles, in the Austin Downtown Arts Magazine. Check out "Un Guerrero de la Cultura by Jonathan Woytek" and "Not Your Average Bookstore by Evan Johnson."