Acknowledgments

Any body of works that arises from the community must return to the community. The words contained in this booklet express a depth of feelings, emotions, anxieties and experiences that ordinary people live on a daily basis. That they took time and effort to write them down is a credit to themselves. Few people experience a desire to share in condensed language what they're feeling in the caverns of their hearts.

The members of Quinto Sol strongly believe people have an innate desire to share significant cultural happenings and ideas. This led to this literary festival which we named Arrullos Culturales, or Cultural Cooing. Why? Birds are the gifts God gives to coo early in the morning lending substance and flavor to a day's awakening. Words are the gifts God gives to people to share with each other to provide substance and flavor to Life. Once a person pours out the content of his or her heart in words, making the listener the receptacle who receives those words, never again will those persons be seen with the same eyes. After that, relationships become those of corazón a corazón, cor et cor.

Quinto Sol believes in nurturing cultural pride among Latinos in Van Horn, as well as creating cultural ambassadors who help bridge gaps of understanding across the community. As a means of creating an alternative for enjoyment, we came up with the idea of a literary festival. Needless to say, this proved to be a huge success, as was the performance of La Víctima, directed by Mr. José Antonio Velázquez, the Art Show headed by Mr. Javier Martínez, the Cinco de Mayo Bailables Folklóricos directed by Mrs. Julia Calderón, and the 9/11 community march spearheaded by Quinto Sol.

Our gratitude goes to Mr. Chuy Uranga at Chuy's Restaurant, and Mr. David McBirnie at Papa's Pantry, the students who helped with the illustrations, and last but not least, the participants of our first literary festival.

Ika noyollo

Heradio G. Luna - Literature / Humanities Chairperson
José Antonio Velázquez - President of Quinto Sol Cultural Arts Center

Dedication to those who give substance and flavor to life

O Mighty Giver of Life,
Who inhabits everything that is
the stars, the moon, the water, and trees
to teach us the beauty of your world
in the things we see and hear.

You give us salt to season the food
and birds to coo to give substance
and flavor to a new awakening day.
You give us new dawns that glorify creation
as darkness fades out, the sunrise displayed.

As the seasons occur,
in spring, summer, autumn, and winter
transforming anew the face of the world,
hard hearts are softened, and we realize anew
the helplessness we feel as human beings,

You give us the gift of words
which are born of your people
to proclaim the truth stamped in our hearts.
In the sharing of our inmost feelings
revealing our deepest desires,
you give us the royal privilege
to place in other people's trust
our most valued possession,
our Hearts.

by Heradio G. Luna

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Allen, Brenna - My Friends, Colors of Death, School Days
Corralez, Monica - My One and Only True Friend, Cheating Heart, Achy Heart
Dowing, Kiana - Sweet Dreams, Dreams, I Believe
Fitzgeral, Ray - Horseback Religion, A Range Queen, The Maverick Hunter
Gary, Norma - Where Is Our Grandfather, Family, Guardian Angels
Luna, Heradio G.- Chispa de Amor, From Darkness to Light, Tormentas, I Am
Luna, Viola - No Pets Allowed (Short Story)
Means, Sarah - Super Marshmallow (Short Story)
Ornelas, Venesa - What Is Love?, You Are
Reyes, Matt - Poor But Happy, Lost Innocence 9/11 Poem
Scott, Martha - Iguana Heat, Buzzard Song
Sigala, Rebeca - El Recuerdo, La Amistad, David
Urías, Yolanda - A Silent Moment
Valdéz, Patricia - High Grace, Last Hour, Portal to Your Soul
Velázquez, José Antonio - You Are, Prefiero Callar, En Fin