Even men can be sunflowers
2021
Frame loom, synthetic yarn, cornhusks, beads, buttons, gold metal leaves,
serigraphs onmarigold dyed silk & cotton, wire, sunflower seeds
6ft x 3ft
Even men can be sunflowers
do you remember when we sowed sunflowers?
when the california sun tanned our amaretto skin
we kneeled before mamma tierra and whispered to her womb. i felt the rumble of her seeds kicking in her vientre
mami didn't want to teach me for fear the lands would also callous my hands and seduce me to years of sweat and tears.
you were not afraid. you kneeled so humbly.
sometimes i can still see you on all fours caring for your rosas, like a child crawling back to love.
even men can be sunflowers, right papi? they can let their machista guard down, and surrender before the sun! they can set their eyes to the east and peacefully rest at the west.
even men can be sunflowers, right abuelito?
they can grow tall and unbroken— unbent even by the strongest of Santa Ana winds! but it is only thanks to mama tierra that you are able to stand firm. it is because of us that your roots can grow.
even men can be sunflowers, right brothers?
they can protect and stand as an ally. to say " I love you, and i am proud to stand next to you."
but just like those before us, we still don’t know how.
2021
Frame loom, synthetic yarn, cornhusks, beads, buttons, gold metal leaves,
serigraphs onmarigold dyed silk & cotton, wire, sunflower seeds
6ft x 3ft
Even men can be sunflowers
do you remember when we sowed sunflowers?
when the california sun tanned our amaretto skin
we kneeled before mamma tierra and whispered to her womb. i felt the rumble of her seeds kicking in her vientre
mami didn't want to teach me for fear the lands would also callous my hands and seduce me to years of sweat and tears.
you were not afraid. you kneeled so humbly.
sometimes i can still see you on all fours caring for your rosas, like a child crawling back to love.
even men can be sunflowers, right papi? they can let their machista guard down, and surrender before the sun! they can set their eyes to the east and peacefully rest at the west.
even men can be sunflowers, right abuelito?
they can grow tall and unbroken— unbent even by the strongest of Santa Ana winds! but it is only thanks to mama tierra that you are able to stand firm. it is because of us that your roots can grow.
even men can be sunflowers, right brothers?
they can protect and stand as an ally. to say " I love you, and i am proud to stand next to you."
but just like those before us, we still don’t know how.