Orale Pues~~Tanka

born in ELA barrios
I live in a world of dualities
in my tight skirt and sweater
I can cha cha 'n hully gully down
but I don't know who I am

I peroxide my black hair red
rat it high, rat it high
pierce my ears with catholic cross
orale pues-sansei
Buddha- head become a wannabe chola

homeroom teacher
sends me to the back of the room
my hair is too high to see over
she calls me a disgrace
oye, better to nap in the back

back eyeliner, jade green shadow
I look older now don't I 
times going to slow
I want to get out of here
I am Maria of Westside Story

in my purple skirt
I twirl with amateur grace
round and round
and then again ...
suddenly a balance

that's it for me
dance sets me free
forget those guys,
those blackened eyes
catch me in the rye

while legs grow strong
my spine becomes a willow
time moves in rhythm
and everything makes sense
the world becomes a dance

keep on is all I say
you call me a show-off now 
I don't care - 'cause I feel good
and don't you wish you had my legs
orales pues, right on, right on