RUMBO AL ANACUA RHAPSODIZES ABOUT CHELO

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODIES
By Rosa Canales Perez
http://www.rumboalanacua.com/

Bohemian rhapsodies
Seldom find their place in
Mexican-side of town cantinas
More beer than wine cantinas
Heavy with cigarette smoke

"El Monkey Lounge"
"El Mante Bar"
"El 1,2,3

Troubadors strapped with
Acordeon and bajo sexto
Wander in and out
But thumping wails
from stereophonic jukebox prevail

En el 1,2,3
A hard-living barrio poet
Stands back turned toward the rest
Hands upon the jukebox
Selecting his music
Like pulling a cork
From a bottle of vintage rare
Until the voice of
Chelo Silva fills the air

Chelo Silva
Self-avowed Bohemian
Passionate
Elegant
Rebellious
Bending notes from
Shades of Mexican blue
One bolero after another
Torch songs aching with
Heartbreak, talent and
Never-ending hometown dues

Chelo Silva
1950s Texas bolero queen
yet to be replaced
reigning from the grave
Cast in a cantina scene
With a hard-living barrio poet
Secure within the
Tolerance zone where
People don't ask
Too many questions
When the Bohemian
Rhapsodies of an
Errant soul find
Their way back home

2002