Cerro del Tepeyac

 

Via Pullman from Zacatecas,
Chiapas, Verazruz, Sonora,
Campeche, and Juarez.

Via the Metro
to La Villa Basílica.

Via their knees
for the last two blocks
up Calz de Guadalupe—
freshly coating the thin
trail of dried blood.

A half century ago,
In blue mantle and gold trim,
she appeared here
many times for Juan Diego.

Diego’s eyes widened
a little more
each time she came.

Each time he told us
we laughed louder.

She shut our mouths
and opened our eyes
by emblazoning herself
on his cloak.

Surrounding the Metro
are scores of street vendors
selling tee shirts
of Nuestra Senora Guadalupe
in blue mantle and gold trim.

Sold, the shirts are worn
like the cloak and taken home
for us to see, and believe.