Full of lies and trinkets, toys
teasing the desperate into a fast faith.
A lighted candle burns, promises,
the hurting. They bow to its smoke
as the perfect chile from the market
so hot it needs to be worshipped.
Braceletes, curses and pyramid concoctions,
slowly they disappear from Figueroa Street,
replaced by health food stores 
and weight loss clinics, 
gods of the white world.





-- Lisa Marie Sandoval