The Great Thing About Being Sometimes Hispanic Poem by Alex Salinas

The part when I infiltrate the imperialist hive,
But not the part when my wings fall off

The part when I afford to shop at Target,
But not the part when I still eat Taco Bell

The part when my skin looks white,
But not the part when it tans after a hike

The part when I speak un poquito Spanish,
But not the part when I can't communicate with Grandma

The part when I earn a college degree,
But not the part when I can barely pay for it

The part when I have many brothers and sisters,
But not the part when there're three mothers

The part when my father pronounces "chair" sher,
But not the part when we laugh at him

The part when I am mistaken for full white,
But not the part when my name sounds full brown

The part when I am blessed with rhythm,
But not the part when I hate to dance

The part when I got it goin' on in my pants,
But not the part when I can't keep it in

The part when I dreamt I was white,
But not the part when I opened my eyes

The part when I dream I am Hispanic,
But not the part when I open my eyes