QUERENCIA Y LA CAUSA,

OR THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS IN NEW MEXICO

OR, EL SINDICATO Y SOLIDARIDAD  ON THE HIGH ROAD TO CHIMAYO 

 (Por La gente valiente de Nuevo Mexico)

by Bill Nevins

Querencia is a place

from which one’s strength is drawn; 

a place where one feels safe

and at home.

Our common land, our homeland, was free

In the time when the jaguar, elk and bison roamed

In the time when the indigenous pueblo folk welcomed 

Our peaceful ways into this land. 

Despite the horrors

Of conquest and enemy– raids they had suffered. 

For we were workers and farmers and tribal co-defenders

Of this shared land. Camaradas. Compadres. Compas. 

Not los pinche conquistadores from across the ocean sea.

We had thrown off those royal chains.

Orale! A-ho! Blood in Blood out!

Homies till the wheels fall off.

Que no?

It was our sacred privilege then

To fish, to hunt, to graze, to gather wood,

From river-bed to the high snow ridge

And beyond to los ejidos. 

Now we own little land, little wealth,

Little but our dreams,

Our skills. Our pride our faith

Our families, our verguenza, 

Don’t you see?

These latter days,

Enchanted, beguiled, or befuddled by history,

We are still free.

Free to be rolling out of these dear hills

So we might pay those “blessed” bills.

Cut some timber 

Build a house, string a fence

For those who came here, 

From good Lord knows where

.

To live. To breathe clear air.

To pursue their own . . . happiness.

We will haul them pinon and fine oak

Well-split,

To warm their winters.

We do not begrudge them

Their pursuit. Their answered prayers.

We have precious little.

But we give what we have

To give. 

They give what they will give.

They brought the great productions here:

Movies to shoot by day, by night.

On the high points above.

Their klieg -lights blaring,

On the ridge we all once owned.

Now a rico rents them that spot

Where his mansion is planted

For a very high price.

Yet, in the film crews, 

We now work,

For good pay,

!Gracias a Dios y Jon Hendry y IATSE!

We are strong union folk

Now. En solidaridad!

And so, we may re-build

Our Querencia.

Here in this land

Of los manitos bravos. 

This land of the brave.

This land all may own, 

One fine day, fenceless, together.

In community.

This enchanted land.

Where our children may study law, or sing our holy songs,

Pursuing their own, long-delayed, dreams.

Pursuing their happiness, don’t you see?

In this dear Land that once was, 

and so will be

Free.

So we give thanks

For all that shall truly be.