He used to think East L.A. was heaven.

Do the trumpets summon him back to Boyle Avenue? 

When no one is looking, does he come back to see bumper to bumper Picassos cruising down Whittier Boulevard? 

(When no one is looking, does he come back to see the Lowriders cruising on Whittier Boulevard like cruising/gliding Picassos) 

Does he stroll through Hollenbeck Park and see the Quinceañeras take their portraits by the lake, holding on to/choking flowers by their stem. 

Do you ever come back to Los Cinco Puntos for one more salute? 

Where is George Ramos’ ghost tonight? Is it back at 812 N. Record Avenue? 

Do you ever come back to St. Louis, Chicago, Pennsylvania, Brooklyn, Michigan. Not cities, but streets like lines intersecting on the palm of your hand. 

Does he leave the pearly gates to visit the “poor but proud.” 

Do you ever miss it? 

Do they let you speak Spanglish in heaven? In East L.A. they do.

Do you ever reappear? Like the jacarandas, never really gone. Just waiting.