virtual boricua (for pedro)

yo soy un virtual boricua
i am neither here, nor there
and yet ... i am everywhere

my spanish is appalling
pero yo entiendo mi gente quite well

i have only been to nuestra patria a few times
and yet i long for its independence

i have no idea how to cook pasteles
but this website I've woven won't sit still

i don't (always) do demonstrations
but my protest is loud and clear

i fail miserably at salsa
pero esta charanga ain't too bad

i don't fly the flag in june
but its colors burn forever in my soul

my skin is white; my hair is straight
but my hips and lips and nose reveal my true heritage

i can't remember all the details of our history
pero tengo albizu y lolita en mi corazon

i don't watch telemundo (or nbc)
por que mi vida ya es una novela

i don't wear tight skirts and high heels
(f*ck you, seinfeld, snl, nbc)
but i flaunt my people constantly

i am a pura american "citizen"
pero soy un subversive tambien

no estoy aqui ni alla
and yet ... i am everywhere

yo soy un virtual boricua

© 2004 by Marina Ortiz

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