Juarez Issues - slam version
by Chevalterre Nabil via K. L. R. abstracts
completed May 18, 2010

tunes borrowed, not including lyrics:
"Siempre en mi Mente" by Juan Gabriel
and "Streets Have no Name" by U2

in Spanglish

---------------------------------------------

{sung JG style}
You are always on my mind
Don't you know that you
are one of a kind
Where would I be today
had i not stepped forward onto
onto that bridge that leads to Cd. Juarez

Que voy hacer? No se
No quiero pensar en nada, nada
los reportajes de
miles de muertes y muertos
y trato de no escuchar.
{end song}

The garita gates are higher
no more street vendors
a platoon secures la frontera
no more pedestrians
nadie juega en el park
quiet traffic
... to quiet
No more street payasos
A truck filled with helmetted-armored policias
patrols the mall

Careful with your U. S. billetes
saca pesos from the auto-cajero
empty halls
nadie walks alone
pero si tu quieres
grab your shades
and running shoes

Desayuno at Dega'
'huevos fronterizos'
a new dish I ordered
in revueltos a la mexicana,
con tocino, champiñones, y refritos
I wait for my platillo

al pan tostado
I spread jalea
deliciosa
not so fake
like the U. S. kind
decious, I said...
con my cafe

Silverware comes after

Glasses of plastico
...como no?
No vaya ser que un loco agarre y!!

Pasan dos security guards?
No. Son policias.

Mr. Barraza comes
and shares his story,
"... en el Chobis
no one eats comfortably.
Not with la poli
y federales right next to you."

... Saluda Carlos,
an engineer,
y con una sonrisa pregunta:
"Que hacen en la ciudad mas peligrosa del mundo?"

He still smiles...
Though his son was killed
transporting merchandise
estilo fayuca
Nothing illegal...
decent work unappreciated.
Well, the engineer still has his daughter.

Walking down
avenida Lopez-Mateos
Red, Green, and Blue barriers
from the avenue,
into each residential street.

Pero en fin.
Al llegar,
I ring the doorbell.
Irma, la dentista, opens
looking cautiously from side to side
removing the pad lock...

Post no business hours
or get charged a quota
Make appointments
only by phone.

Juarez air don't smell so bad.
For the moment.
Residential blocks
no longer so ornate
or lively...

Filled with graffiti

Contstruction workers
actually wearing
reflective vests!

Wait.
... What?

This can't be the old neighborhood.
The corner cantina cerrada.
The corner arcade cerrado.
El abarrotes "Los Gavilanes"
now sells used appliances on the sidewalk.

Visiting Mama Nena
she plays her old consola
Toda su casa arreglada
warm and loving.
I take multitudes de photos.

Hard to smile
on...
Details of golden,
brassy memoreis
que quedan...

{sung U2 style}
... one of mis vidas
left behind.

I wanna tear down the walls
that hold us inside...
... I wanna pluck out
the sicarious en Juarez
because the streets still have names.

A-ja

Oh, yes. The streets still have names...

The traffic de autos moves forward
y porque no the rest of us?
{song ends}

Finally,
over the other half of el puente
LIBRE!

the vendors are seen...
y me compro un rosary...
con San Judas Tadeo
yellow and green
he wears.

Le rezo
que se termine
el terror de los coyotes
y los mendigos secarios.

3 faerie tales - Happy St. Paddy's

Hey!! Thanks for reading, Leave me comments ^_^

“An El Pasoan Irish Tune”

13 March 2010 (TWP)

Chevalterre Nabil

Via KLRabstracts

If I wrote my own Irish tune,

I’d pick up my violin…

And let my fingers

Frolick and dance

While my opposite arm

Summons sounds

By caressing

The instruments’ strings

Via my bow

And the bow’s horse hair

Rides along the chords of

G— D— A— then— E

With ease

In a punk rock sort of way…

And the notes would fly

Like little fae

In a violetic soothing wind

I’d bring friends

To trail with me

With their instruments

Dancing feet

And American-Irish beats.

We’d all stop and chill

At the plaza…

In the middle of the night…

We’d summon our alligator friends to life…

Playing with the fountain water

Maybe on skateboards

And pixies emerging from the trees and park benches

Quite urban the fae ones are

Silver robotic B-boys and B-girls

And the brown, wooden ones

Wakin’ up the town

To rejoice…

Yes, if I wrote my own Irish tune…

That is how it would be

Living peacefully,

In harmony

On this side of the Rainbow bridge

Making our golden music

Dancing to our golden beats and sounds.

“Lucky Un-Strike”

13 March 2010 (TWP)

Chevalterre Nabil

Via KLRabstracts

Downtown, El Paso, TX

2 to 3 a.m.

As I turned the corner

And walked halfway westward

On the block…

The car with the right of way

Stopped in time

As the other car

Turned right in front of it –

Missing it by near inches.

Their light was Green…

Angry Red was the first driver –

I could feel the vibe

Manifesting the red light

To stop and catch the violator

And this prevented me from dialing 9-1-1!

I knew they’d be fine…

And waited for my turns to cross…

And there it was

This little duende

Blending with

the El Paso Times vending box…

Smiling right at me!

Oh yes,

And then I knew for certain

The little ones

Were watching over us.

“In a Maze of Knots”

13 March 2010 (TWP)

Chevalterre Nabil

Via KLRabstracts

I do not know how to draw Celtic knots

Good Lord, I’ve tried!

Those mystically, visual interweavings

I just cannot…

For, if I try

I begin to follow

From what seems to be

The beginning of the path…

Then suddenly an animal…

And adorning dog

Raising its paw…

I shake it

We bow, courteously

But I’m not so blind

Nor is it trained to guide me

We had walked together

For some time

Now I’m at the opposite end

Where there’s a different dog

Laughing at me

Ha! I know…

I’m on the mirrored side

I’ll find my way…

Eck!

I’ve lost my sense of direction

I’m at the heart of a cross
Where blossoms grow,
And my path
I still do not know...
Maybe, had I
Counted my steps
In multiples of seven...

Err... in Japanese?
ichi, ni, and san through nana...

But by then
In this topsy-turvy maze
I guess...
I made it back
To the end...

But in stepping back
Looking at the paper
I've made a big Green mess
of meltic knots...

Heck, I'm not Irish
I'm Mexican-American
dance the can-can

So folksy I am
So instead I crochet.
Oh, my crafty hands...

I crochet in deep, lush green
The way my mom did for me
When I was seven...

Interweaving the yarn
Of 1— 2— 3— 4
Leaves and a stem.

Ha!
Try following that trail,
you Celtic knot!

Colored Stupid

"Colored Stupid"
or (Horse of a Stupid Color"
12 Feb '10
by Chevalterre Nabil, via KLRabstracts

They think I'm colored stupid
They think I am insane
I've been cropped up and robbed
quite lengthy will grow my mane!

They think she's colored stupid
They think she's gone insane
She's been cut off from life
So long shall grow her mane...

Destitute -- defeated
despite my wallet all been bleeded

Vagina all been heal-ed
despite the violators leav-ed

She is alive
But she feels so dead (2x)

They think she's colored stupid
They think she's gone insane
She's been cut off from life
So long shall grow her mane...

Pathological liars
they talk-talk-talk so much
Oh, won't they just shut up?!
The bunch of... (3x)

Bad business deals
Oh, are they for reals?
with extreme libidos
schmucks stuck in speedos

Buddy Holly glasses
and money up their asses
with one too many credit cards
they think their lives are hard
All full of bullshit drama
cryin' to their mama

Pathological liars
they talk-talk-talk so much
Oh, won't they just shut up?!
The bunch of... (3x)

They think she's colored stupid
They think she's gone insane
She's been cut off from life
So long shall grow her mane...

Her skin gettin' darker
no she don't look the same
She'd kept her hair much shorter
from having felt so lame...

They think she's colored stupid
They think she's gone insane
She's been cut off from life
So long shall grow her mane...

Idiots complaining
'cause she's just so conceited
After all...
She gave them each a lot
though it isn't much she's got

And who gives a fuck
if she's got an attitude...
'cause...

They think she's colored stupid
They think she's gone insane
She's been cut off from life
So long shall grow her mane.

- ^_^ new poem/song lyrics

Karma Llegua Renee ^artist
Chevalterre Nabil ^poet

www.myspace.com/KLRabstracts

"Barbecued Poetry Book"
- Chevalterre Nabil/KLRabstracts
26-27 Jan 2010

Artists and writers
in the Military
there are...
rare and few

Some paint
miniature models...
for their D&D games
some win contests
to paint murals
- winning the
command's coffee mugs
What a Rip Off!

Well,
it beats painting
green primer and haze grey
All the Live Long Day!

'Cause
if ya keep on
paintin' that deck
with such overly-efficient control
Ya get called "Picasso"
And that's an insult...
He'd never
drive a 50-pound grinder
as good as
the girls from Deck
nor would he have
stayed one second
down in the ship's
engine room
because his dainty little hands
would have melted right off...

Yeah...
he'd-a' made a dainty lil' Sailor
with his stripey lil' shirts...
like the idiot IT's that tossed around
LeVar's poetry-art book...

Yeah...
there they we were
all partyin' off duty

Artists and writers
in the Military

We...
are so rare
and so few...

while my
geometrically abstract designs
evolved with Japanese milky ink

this mutha fucka of an OS
- third class
who's usually down below
warning the quarter masters
and us deck personnel
of oncoming sea traffic

- He'd just take a pencil
without study
nor school
and make me Crave
for his rendition of Fiona Apple
and other lovely women
sketched...
etched...
into pages
integrated
with his intimate poetry
of or about
the Earth and elements
including Love...

Artists and writers
in the Military
are so rare and few

that book's a hot potato

Military
artists and writers
so rare -- few

He's going around
looking for his book

Military writers
rare and few

Oh! His Regret...

BOOM

POW

Sizzle -sssss...

The book landed on the grill.

And those Idiot -
bored to the bone -
drunk off their asses -
IT men

In hysterics
over the barbecued poetry book...

That's why
artists and writers
in the Military
are so rare and few.

Karma Llegua Renee ^artist
Chevalterre Nabil ^poet

...Devotion to Gayatri Devi

"Prayer to Gayatri" (Mother of Devotion)
Chevalterre Nabil/KLRabstracts - Nov - Dec '09

Gayatri Devi
Oh - Gayatri!

You're quite saavy,
personifying Brahman.

Yes, Gayatri Devi

Paving the path of knowledge
does Gayatri Devi

throughout a navy/corn blue sky
you are the twilight devine

Some may heavily envy
you, Gayatri Devi

For you are ageless...
immortal!

Across the waves and mist
I hear you speak
Oh mother
teaching the Vedic - life knowledge

Oh, mother - Gayatri Devi
In meditation,
bowing down...

I inhale
carrying in
spiritual knowledge

I exhale
jettison
the raving ignorance

I inhale
cradling
deeper concentration

I exhale
flushing out
exhausting distractions

I inhale
embracing
peace of mind

I exhale
released
becoming worry free

I have developed
with devotion

such an ability

to please all
with emotion

and all of the gods
with devotion

Namas-te
Mother Gayatri Devi

Karma Llegua Renee ^artist
Chevalterre Nabil ^poet

...to Yama... - Death

"Prayer to Lord Yama"
Chevalterre Nabil/KLRabstracts - Nov - Dec '09

Greetings and Salutations to you
Yes, you! Oh, Yama!

For in the form of time
it is that you punish.

(Español)- en una rama, tu Yama
tachas los muertos.-

For you are the lord of death,
Yama.

I salute you, god of the law,
so righteous in action

You may have taken Osama...
Should you?
but not yet take Obama...
Oh, Yama

I greet you both
- Si, tu - y enseguida
la obscura dama --
la muerte –

- Namas-te!-

- Que tia la muerte
Y tio tan rico
es el dios Yama! -

- Namas-te! -

I am blessed
for you've been steadfast
in the face of judgement

When I did not need to be sedated and violated

When I did not need to be abused and stalked

When I did not need to be twice drugged and robbed

When I needed to accept you...

to die alone and be Renacida - (Francaise) Renee - Reborn!

Yes, you blessed me
I overcame the fear
of your reign -
Death!

- est pour toi -- es por ti -
- que je vivre -- que vivire -
- Vive la vie! -- Viva la vida -
- et vive la morte! -- and Long live death -
- Je suis Renee -- I am Reborn.

Karma Llegua Renee ^artist
Chevalterre Nabil ^poet

"Gorilla With an Alcohol Problem"

Chevalterre Nabil/KLRabstracts 23 Oct 09

Gorrilla with an alcohol problem
I do not know what he's been drinkin'

Gorrilla with an alcohol problem
Plays a guitar and he's singin'

Gorrilla with an alcohol problem
He takes me cruisin' to eat some burgers

Gorrilla with an alcohol problem
Don't need no soda, he loves something else

Gorrilla with an alcohol problem
He's so groovy and so swell

X xx Xx XXxXX (2X)

Gorrilla with an alcohol problem
He pulls a big one out right in front of me

Gorrilla with an alcohol problem
Oh-ho-ho No, It's not what you're thinkin'

Gorrilla with an alcohol problem
He pours his golden juice in a cup <cochinos!>

Gorrilla with an alcohol problem
A double-X lager, that's what it is

XX - shame, shame, sh-sh-sh-shame
shame, shame, oh what a shame

Gorrilla with an alcohol problem
Now you know what he's been drinkin'

Gorrilla with an alcohol problem
I don't mind, it's just for recreation

Gorrilla with an alcohol problem
Where are you going?
- It seems to me he's got a fetish
- He wants to be tied up and tied down
- If he'd invite me, well I'd be down

X xx Xx XXxXX

Gorrilla with an alcohol problem
He takes me to his secret hideaway

Gorrilla with an alcohol problem
I discipline and push him around

shame, shame, sh-sh-sh-shame
He loves to feel so shameful and lame

XX

Gorrilla with an alcohol problem
I won't abuse you
- to hurt one another just ain't right
- I love a man who's super sweet
- He'll hold me tight all of the night

XX - shame, shame - oh what a shame

(Español) Este gorila es un alcolico
le doy con mil naranjas
que sienta Ay! todos mis colicos

XX

Gorrilla with an alcohol problem

XX

(Nihongo) baka mitai!
gorira dake nanoni

XX

Gorrilla with an alcohol problem

XX

lookin' out for the one-dollar specials

Gorrilla with an alcohol problem!

Karma Llegua Renee ^artist
Chevalterre Nabil ^poet

Gorilla with an Alcohol Problem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0_6QkIFkgQ

October 2009 - K. L. R. abstracts Review

Here it goes}

10th -"1,000 Points of Light" @ Bombadiers
Persian Themed, to help Laila get signatures to get her dad back from Iran
** Henna - one new design, Body Painting, Sept 2008 masks sold, Wrote/self-published/read New Poem

11th - The 1st "Night Owl's Market" @ Lips
Brett, Karime, Ray, Ben participating with host, Karla
movie shown} The Craft
art sold} caricatures and prints, plus some fun psychidelic shoulder painting

(at some point, went and checked out Kaletia Roberts' new exhibit at the Downtown - El Paso Museum of Art)

16th - "Purgatory" coordinated by DJ's Jakob Valentine and Stilletto @ Lips
** Caricatures sold, new ones kept in folio.

17th - "Skull & Bones" coordinated and hosted by Eddie Marquez, creator of Dead Boy comic book character
** Henna - one new design, Face Painting - Bloody Skulls and Candy Skulls, Caricatures, vendor trading

18th - Fundraising for Spirit of Children at Spirit of Halloween Store, with Sharon on East Side
** Spiders, Bats, Witches, Vampire girls, Skeletons

22nd - "Art Attack" coordinated by Galleria 300
* media interviews - Channels 7 with Selina Avila and 26 (Despierta El Paso)
- caricatures drawn at event
- One caricature STOLEN (someone really liked it!)

23rd - woke up at 9 a.m. and co-wrote song "Gorilla with an Alcohol Problem" with Chevalterre Nabil

24th - Special festivities at SGI Buddhist Center in Sunset Heights
* Vast field of young upcoming artists, UTEP students' live painting
*Fire dancing, and musical performances
Meditation and Feast provided by the center
** Face painting} Rainbows, Faeries, and Dragons for all ages; some of Sept '08 masks sold

Concurrent} Tuesday Night Open Mics @ Lips Lounge
time being set to 8:30/9 p.m. to start
Awesome Hip Hop, Rap, and Folk artists shown up. occasionally integrated with karaoke.
No artist named, show up to see who performs ;)

no program - **4 masks (Sept 08 and Aug 09) sold towards the end of the month
Clientele were excited to wear them coordinating with their attire at their Halloween parties.

30th - Pre-Halloween "Freedom" Open Mic , I was the guest host @ Public Grounds Coffee House
wonderful performances - belly dancing & poetry, gave birth to the new song "Gorilla with an Alcohol Problem" and had previously read selections from my new "Essence of Love" Chap book (print on demand/hand-bound & crafted) - will not reveal other performers... as amazing as they were, you had to be there!
* New caricatures done.
**(after hours) at O. P. - ghoulish face painting, and glowing tribal for party-goers

31st - "Bordello of Blood" @ Lips, hosted by the venue, M. C.'ed by DJ's Jakob Valentine & Joystyk
Integrated performances by HOT fire dancers, haunted house & the Corsette Kittens
** Face Painting} the Beach ;), my own costume} Thai Demon Mask with Horns
some more sexy caricatures

... And of course, I have to thank all the good connections ^_^

Though I am sad to have missed a friend's b-day... and missing two (Nov. 1 & 2 poetry readings at Percolator Cafe) :( - if you're able to I recommend you contact Miguel Juarez or Bobbie

All in All -
The whole month was amazing, got to run into so many good friends.

Peace and Harmony to all.
- K. L. R.

P. S. I'd like to know how your Halloween went ^_^

New Open Mics Starting Oct. 09

Performers are also welcome to contact kool_artist@juno.com
to be featured in the Night Owl's Market. ^_-

So you understand the blend here. A local friend and artist is organizing a movement via art, and I wrote the poem after remembering sporadic events and such. Hopefully I'll read it at the event, after many of my colleagues (powerful writers) will perform - I'll have my body art stand.



__________________________..________________________

“Sacrifice for Your Faith” (A blend of thoughts & memoirs)
Chevalterre Nabil 28 Sept, 09


Shorten your life
like a suicide bomber?
No.
And you don’t have to resist.
You have a life to live.

Shorten your hair
If you’re female or male,
they can take your State ID
for the one they’re saving
across the border.
But they will not take your dignity.
Cut your hair to look atypical.

Shorten your melanin.
They assume to know you
by your stamped face.
The darkness can lessen
with a cosmetic cream.
But not your eyes nor your nose.
But the sun’s loving rays always,
always reblossom your beauty.

Shorten your roots.
They think they’ve tracked you
as someone else.
Transplant them in Japan, Peru, Spain, U. S.
Change the wardrobe,
but do not become acculturated.
You’ll blend in just fine.

Shorten your tongue
Learning English/Spanish
– meant for business
and sometimes, for self-defense.
Speech lessons help.
Don’t worry about the accent.

Shorten your legs,
or hunt for a new set
if you stay.
They’ve got
rohypnol to slow you down
bombs at each stone and hedge.
Hatchets for your arms.

Shorten your name.
They check your Green I.D.
It has your rank, pay grade,
social security number.
Hajimosaraab …
Hajimo…
Haji..
Ha – Halt!

And what saved you,
your wife, and children
was to dial that encoded command number…
that week after 9 – 11…
and there was Captain Ziemba’s crew
over the land line.
“Yes, he is a United States Sailor,
He belongs to us!”

Let us be aware
when we have the opportunity
to do that again,
for another human being.

Mantras and Cookie Soup

(Hindi translations would be most appreciated)

Left Hand Mantra
Nandi - Carrier of Shiva

"ghantalankrta-kanthaya nilakanthasya vahine namas te dharma-rupaya kutashaya kakudmine"
Meditation: I offer salutations to the humped white bull, Nandi, whose neck is decorated with bells. He is the carrier of the blue-throated Shiva, the embodiment of dharma, as unshakable as the Himalayas.
Blessings:
1. Grace of Shiva and Parvati
2. Ability to carry out one's duty.
3. Ability for ever-increasing service.
4. Knowledge and understanding of one's duty.

Right Hand Mantra
Subhadra - Bestower of Devotion

"jaya devi bhakti-datri prasida paramesbari jaya subhadre tvam sarvesam bhadra-darini"
Meditation: "Glories to you, Subhadra, the bestower of bhakti! Be kind to me, O ruler of the universe! Please bestow auspiciousness on us all!" - Skanda Purana
Blessings:
1. Removal of illusion.
2. Worldly power and grace.
3. Blessings of devotion to ______ (Krishna)


Collaborative Recipe/Poem
"Cookie Soup"

by Chevalterre Nabil
avec Deejay Mindpool}

Best to serve coffee of your
favored flavour
into a soup-sized mug.

Crumble three delightfully
crunchy cookies

let them be cookies of any kind, too!

This is best enjoyed with a close friend,
a game,
and colorful toy spoons.

For ages 12 - 120!

You think it's funny?
Cute??
Come over and visit...
I'll be serving Cookie Soup!

(original is meant for coffee, for lilluns younger 'an 12, milk is recommended...
refreshing cold soy or rice milk (horchata too) is recommended for those lactose intolerant) ^_@

Come Join Us this Thursday

Chevalterre Returns to Tumblewords Project!!

Notes from the Yellow Composition Book:

Tumblewords Project - Saturday, 7 February, 2009

Presenter: Nancy Green

"African Voices"

'Wisdom is higher than a fool can reach." - Phyllis Wheatley

About Nancy: - Mexican woman of African descent -- Originally from Juarez and El Paso, later from Massecheusetts.

About Phyllis Wheatley: - born in Gambia. At age 7 became a slave. She's the first African writer. Purchased by the Boston Tea family... they taught her to read and write.

** Later, during the workshop, Nancy shares about Langston Hughes: - His father moved to Mexico city... He wrote "The Negro Speaks of Rivers"

She even mentions Ahmed Sekou Toure (Guinea, 1922-1984)

From this, two poems have been written:

"Morenitos Are the Brothers" - prose, short story. - (1999 - 2001 Memoir)
My brothers, they were
all from the Deck department
of the United States Navy ship.

With a couple of sisters too.

We became quite a diverse family
in the last two years of the last millenium.

In all shades of skin color,
we matched in uniform.
Working under one Nation.

At least three languages we shared.
And translated for one another.

Different forms of racism
we experienced in Polynesian islands.
They, the darker ones laughed
because I worried.
- Antonio Cummings explained:
"WE have to deal with it. It's okay."
-- On occasion Sean Skeritt repeated:
"Worry about yourself, shipmate."
- Our youngest friend, would distract
each one of us...
making us laugh, to have a good time.
He, Stephen Wright...
who stepped in, one September morning
As we departed a Korean port
lost his legs and fingers.
But our other hero, Mr. Johnson
- the officer in freckles
and bright red hair "pelirojo",
lost a leg too
trying to help Stephen.

Our spontaniety died, but not our love.

We connect, and talk through
Yahoo, Myspace, Facebook...
searching for one and then the next.

Still searching for Wright or Johnson...

The darker ones, as I called - referring to
half the department, were not called
anything other than "el morenito" and
their family name.

" Two Little Girls on the Schoolbus." (A 1985 memoir)
Little girl,
why do you sit alone?
In the back of the bus
with your ashy legs
blocking others from sitting.

I want to sit next to you
and be your friend.
But your vibeis unfriendly.
Why should I bother?

One day our bus is packed
and your seat is the only one
with space for me.

I ask you to move your feet
I don't want to push you.
But mostly I don't want
the dirt from your shoes
on my "pompis".

Coarse is your hair, but I like it
because we both wear braids.

You sit there,
with your cheek almost stuck to the window.
And I secretly wonder about
the scent from your skin.

We could be friends or something.
But whatever your problem is, I don't know.
Cannot understand.

I tire from it...
bringing myself to honesty
telling you,
"I don't like you."

Your reply,
"I don't like you either."

I felt content...
because you finally spoke to me.

-------------------------

Some things that came up in conversation:

"Sacred Snacks" (thank you Donna Snyder and Gene Keller for the jokes)

The sacred confections
of Latin-America

one made with cacao
the other with corn

they are:
Cho-co-lah-teh
and
tostadas.

And wouldn't ya know?

Doritos
have chocolate as an ingredient!

------------------------------------

Thanks Cheval for helping me express this story and thought - it came up while meeting another musician last night at the World Music Tea DANCE PARTY - put together by the DJ HYPOCRITE ORCHESTRA - It was quite magical...

As I prance
on by...
I come to ask you:
"By any chance,
do you dance?"

... He then looked me
straight in the eye,
and answered:
"Yes!"

So I thank you (Ryan) for the dance.

-----> See you guys at Tuesday's rehearsal!