Among Chicano School Children

I was born on a farm
we had no electricity
only kerosene lamps for light,

a woodburning stove
to keep warm in winter
and to cook the pot of beans year-round.

My first day of school
I had to go barefoot
amazed that other kids wore shoes.

They laughed at me
and I myself thought
how odd they looked with covered feet.

Mr. Patlan (a Mexican-American teacher)
took me to some store and the school district
bought me a pair of sneakers.

But, ever since that
first day of school
I go proudly barefoot in my Chicano soul!