Julian Figueroa

Long Beach, California, USA

I am of the Acjachemem Nation, which is the Southern California Indian Tribe of the Orange County area. I currently work at the Los Angeles Southern California Indian Center doing clerical work. I plan to attend community college in the fall. I have been writing poetry for a little over six years. However, prior to writing, I believe that many of my thoughts and acts in my life, whether they were positive or negative, were done in a profoundly poetic manner. So in other words, poetry has always been what I do. One of my poems appeared in my tribal newsletter (Juaneno News). I have also been published in two anthologies. I look forward to having all my work published in a book of collective poems of my own. If I were given a single chance to say something to the world, it would be: The sun always continues to rise; therefore, so shall you . . .

Legendary Being Of Aztlan

For Eva,

Chicanita of the city's jungle
You carry the universe inside of you
This you should know
Star, sky flower that blooms when night is upon the earth
Holder of dreams, my dreams, without you I would lose my sense of place
Legendary being of Aztlan
I am honored to know you, to live in your time
Brown queen
My queen
Morrita of the royal yellow circle
Keeper of the secrets of the four directions
Metaphor of the dominant light (moon) of the night
Perfect image, unique image, light of my life
Daughter of Zapata's horse
Offspring of hope, New Hope
Red Indian Ciuatl
Rainbow gist, midnight sky, definition of the divine
Prairie between my heart and mind
People love you, people need you, I need you, and I love you
You are all these things, and more . . .
You are the poem of life, a living relic!
Look around you; I and everyone else are evidence of one the many things
The greatness you possess can create . . .
Don't give up!
Sister! Friend! Partner! Lover! Mija! Sky flower!
"Stubborn Star," remember what that means?

Songs Of My Soul

In the dark depths of my soul, beyond the regions that are thought to have any life
substance, Passed my soul's infinity, I scream! Reach out! Try to feel around for
anything . . . My entire being opens and closes, (Sucking) in attempt to capture
something, I demand! I call forth the forces of concentration . . . TRUTH!
CLAIRVOYANCE! FEAT. . . I yearn to function, not master, but perform in, and
with the beauties (songs of my soul) of my inner being . . . Have I gone too far in my
search . . . Must I go further . . . Where is this rhythm I seek? This place of music, where
the rivers and streams are pure and crystal turquoise clear, and the riffles of these waters
sparkle with a ruby red glimmer - The gardens and sites are like no other, diminishing
the whole basis of EDEN . . . Oh how I long for the sights of these grounds . . . Its
frolicsome and realistic tunes, I enjoyed, showed and shared with others. What wouldn't
I do, to again, dance to the sweet frequencies of my inner self . . .