Our Elder
one of my mentors
The Fierce Poet-Community Leader
Xicanindio Human Rights Activist
raulrsalinasTransitioned this morning…

The following is from Rene Valdez/of Resistencia Bookstore-raul’s son in the revolution…

It is with great sadness we inform all of our community supporters,comrades, familia and colegas about the passing of our elder, teacher,father, chicanindio, and poeta revolutionario raúlrsalinas.

As you may know, for the past couple of years, raúl has been struggling withhis health. We understand that it’s difficult for us to let him go, butsince the beginning of the year his health continued to be a majorchallenge. Unfortunately, his body just could not take the strain and wasdeteriorating at a rapid pace. Even though he has left this realm and it’s agreat loss para nuestro pueblo, his spirit is strong and lives on in all of us.

As his family provides more information, we will share it with everyone. Fornow this is just a notification of the passing of our brother. We will notify you about where you can send condolences, flowers, and cards as weget more information. An altar has been created in front of the bookstore on South First St. in Austin, Texas for now. We thank everyone for theirgood energy and support and prayers in this time of loss and mourning.

CON RESPECTO Y EN LUCHA,
Rene Valdez

raul has mentored/walked with MANYMANYMANY of us over the years/showing us how to embody Tradition/our Words/Joy/and a fighting Spirit. Founder of Resistencia Bookstore and Red Salmon Arts raul’s legacy Lives Vibrantly in our Hearts Work Communities and in the volumes of Work that he published.

Below is a poem I wrote raul in Tribute - for a Celebration done in his honor 8/07 at the Mexican American Cultural Center in Austin, TX…

For raulrsalinas Our elder Xicandio poet/human rights activist…
by Sharon Bridgforth © 2007

we come from Traditions of Walking With.
this is how we learn to Fly…

running down crowded sidewalks
with fists flaring/flashing sirens/bill boards and exhaust
in cousin pookie’s tore up car/riding the bus/jumping rooftops
we scale our neighborhoods
with crippled wings and
calloused hearts too open/shut
broken and undone
we dance down concrete
in the Promise of Moonlight/on
fallen dreams/forgotten
blunts in hands/flasks full/eyes afire
this is how some of us Receive the Calling

raised on fry bread and chitterlings/coagulated
like silence in the blood
like our parent’s disappointments
like the aftermath of humiliation
like never feeling full
like Seeing the Magic in nothing.
our wounded Hearts reach out anyway
Pray to Big Momma Auntie PawPaw Jesus Mary
Ms. Mabel Uncle baybay and dem.
our Spirits Call the names before we know them
Yemonja Coyolxauhqui Our Lady of Guadalupe Quan Yin
Chandra Mother of God Allah Creatress

and we are heard.
they send the Poet. You

sounding like wide open fields
slapping five/reared back yielding laughter
dropping libations and ciphers from gilded tongue
like Sunshine and gold/Giving
exposed heart/scarred battered and tattooed
your Poem
touches us.
and finally we understand
that battles have already been won in our names
that we do not need to run anymore
that we do not have to die in the streets
that we are not lost
that we are Loved just as we are
that we are the Answer the Promise and the Because
that some doors will open when we approach
because You/severed braid in Turquoised hands
have already done the Offering/Created Hope
out of blood and tears.

Your Poem
is our shining Star.
we jump in the Circle/wild uncouth and arrogant
stank and vile
learn Protocol/get Saged
Clean
wash
morn
Heal
laugh
shout
become the Dream
the Joy
the Road
the Memory
the Returned
that was Prayed for.
we learn to give our Hearts/Open
for those that can’t
for them that are lost
for they that never look at the Sky
for the Ones that can only Hear the Call in the streets
for all that shoulda been
and Is
for all Our Relations
we learn to cry closed doors open.
with our Poems
we Walk With You.

this is how we Remember who are.
with Ancient recipes
we receive Sight
stand on a thousand bodies
Graced by the blood of Our Ancestors
we Lift/our Words burst in the Moon
and paint the Sun in Flight.

may the words Given you in Celebration today
touch your Heart over and over and over
may the Love you have given be returned to you in infinitude
may the nurturing that you have gifted find you a thousand times a day
may the strength you’ve used opening doors return to you NOW amplified
may your laughter/already released magnify and Heal you
may your Poems multiply in The Wind and Bless you
may we chant Your name in the moonlight
may our Prayers Lift you in Spirit
may we make you proud
may we Walk With You
always/with Hearts too Open
as our Poems Soar in the streets
Calling the next generation
Love…