In this life, I have seen the valley of broken dreams filled with the souls of taqueria entrepreneurs. I have seen gleaming grills, Hispanic frills, greasy thrills. I have seen spirit thrive in the eyes of men armed with bank loans and family recipes. I have eaten their food, delicious beyond necessity. I have experienced the magic of taquerias and restaurants.

And I have seen that magic die.

I've observed the life unfold, unfurl with a magic to behold. I have seen that magic served in a half-empty restaurant that Frontera has outsold. I have had the magic gone, replaced by payday lenders and takeout from Taiwan. I have seen empty storefronts and the straggling last days of taqueria entrepreneurs. And I grieve every time at the lost loans and lost hopes left behind. But tonight, there will be no grieving. Instead,

Let us eat magic in their memory, enjoy the grease that will surely send us to infirmaries. Let us celebrate the time they had, the tortas, tamales, and leftovers taken home in a bag. Let us celebrate the doomed Mexican restaurants.

I am formed by Catholic thinking
But the sadness overwhelms

Seen the Bangkok temples
Like to read like St. Anselm

But now I read so little
Postcards in the mail

Sleep and taquerias
Solo; no female.

Taiwan must prevail.

I'm not an intellectual
Though I have read their books
I eat at taquerias
Tacos that she cooks

I have some grandiosity
Comes with the bipolar
But that too is a joke
I like the rock n' rollers

Traveled a little bit
Stockholm is so pretty
Ate Korean food
Spent nights in New York City

Took down Billy Graham
One man to overthrow!
Big blue Reno sky
We three sledding in the snow

                 Yoko yo yo!