Chitra Ganesh, How to Assemble a Flying Car (detail), 2018, linocut on tan BFK Rives. Courtesy of the artist & Durham Press.
Tequila Country
Truckers in “bring-your-own-demons” bars
talk about their loads as if sperm counts and
careers are intertwined. They’re extras for
the latest movie version of Dante’s Inferno,
Texas style. But I’m here and feeling at home.
Hermanitos, por favor, buy me enough tequila
until I’m speaking in tongues. No, one says,
don’t make my mistake. Which was? He blushes
and returns to his woman who can’t housebreak
the jukebox. He leaves and turns his head to
stare at my stare. It’s Friday night, and I’m younger
than any of the prophets have ever been in public.
Rane Arroyo (1954–2010) was a Puerto Rican-American poet and playwright. During his lifetime, he published ten volumes of poetry, a collection of short stories, and numerous plays. His work will be remembered for the artful way in which he dealt with the themes of Latino identity, homosexuality, and immigration in America.