Mama [Meme] Manuela, rousted him each morning promptly at 4am;
Father Smiers needed a bell ringer; so started Victor's day, life.

his life trailed in front of him as he woke the town of Edna, twice.
once, 4:15am when running through his neighborhood, and the black neighbor,
then through the white section; all dogs barked at him, his chorus.

then awakened the town at 5:00am with the church bell ringing.
Mama Manuela'd tell his sleepy eyes that he had been chosen.

a gentle waking each morning; reminding a boy he was chosen;
first, through Ms. Lindberg, through the Priest, from God.

like any kid, we learn from others; he registered small
on the face of America, he: a small town Mexican boy,
was chosen to wake-up the town of Edna, twice.

he took his chosen job seriously as Mama Manuela had
tortillas filled with beans and scrambled eggs: best
of both worlds as they intersticed; not colliding.

his heart drew him many friends from Ms. Lindberg, first
grade teacher through colleges: UNT, Yale, then U.T.
he always pointed to them; and now, they point to him.

viva Victor Rodriguez y all the Meme Manuelas awaiting
in their little-girl dresses, starched crinolins and all.

10/28/2008

Posted on 10/28/2008
Copyright © 2026 Charlie Morgan