Poetry

[This section still Under Construction]

With our darts,
with our shields,
the city lives.

There, where the darts are dyed,
where the shields are painted,
are the perfumed white flowers,
flowers of the heart.
The flowers of the Giver of Life
open their blossoms.
Their perfume is sought by the lords:
this is Tenochtitlan.

source: "Cantares Mexicanos" folio 20, v and folio 18,r
as quoted in "Aztec Thought and Culture" by Miguel Leon-Portilla

The art of poetry was the highest art form in Anahuac.

Poetry was not just spoken, it was sung.

The idea was that "art made things divine", and only the divine was true.

There were different kinds of poems, like war songs, moral, and philosophical works.

Nezahualcoyotl ("Fasting Coyote") of Texcoco is considered a pre-eminent poet-ruler of the 15th century. One of his most famous works describes life as temporary - and beautiful - as flowers.

The theme of "flowers" was regularly used: to symbolize the temporary fragility and beauty of existence.

The poet Cuacuahtzin used this theme of flowers: "I crave flowers that will not perish in my hands! / Where might I find lovely flowers, lovely songs? / Such as I seek, Spring does not produce on earth;"

The Nahuatl expression for poetry was in xochitl, in cuicuatl ("flowers and song").

Americo Paredes was a an early Chicano folklore poet in Texas who wrote of themes relating to the border.

Rudolfo "Corky" Gonzales wrote "Yo Soy Joaquin" during the Chicano Movement. It was a poem about Chicano peoples' struggles, but used the "Mestizo" identity, which modern movements seek to liberate our people from. ( See Identity section of this web site).

Dr. Jose Montoya is known for his Chicano poetry, as a member of the "Royal Chicano Air Force" (RCAF) during the Chicano Movement.

Modern Chicana/o poets still write today. 

An excellent and popular book to get is called In The Language of Kings by Miguel Leon-Portilla.

The death
which our fathers, brothers, and sons met
was not because they owed anything;
nor for stealing or lying.

It was for the honor
of our country and nation
and for the valor of our Mexica Empire;
and for the honor and glory of Huitzilopochtli.

Cronica Mexicana, Alvarado Tezozomoc,
as quoted in "Aztec Thought and Culture" by Miguel Leon-Portilla