Carlitta Harvey, Blessing of the Fields, 2022, oil on canvas, 24” X 30”.
New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum (Las Cruces, NM).
Adult Category Winner
"Budding Life" by Alison Penn
Mi niña, I see eagerness in your radiant face
You stand out among the other communion dresses
Forming clouds over the longing earth
Burgundy, buttercup, and blush petals fluttering in baskets
Waiting to become raindrops in the acequia madre's joyous release
An ancient reverence resounds in your bones
Revealing wisdom beyond your tender years
San Isidro and his oxen are cleansed with sacred smoke
A sacrifice twice over, flame and fume
A blessing from Tortugas Pueblo, a holy island and dripping spring
As songs to La Virgencita rise in the air
As the sun reaches its zenith
As the calf lows to the archbishop's blessing
What will you remember of this tradition?
So far, this is the most important day of your life
La Malinche experiencing herself with a new lengua
Water, bread, and roses
Flower Girl, initiation
Bridesmaid, anticipation
Veiled Bride, elation
Holy Mother, devotion
Shrouded Elder, revelation
Will you know that your worthiness is intrinsic
Not earned through the sweat and blood of life?
Each blossom released into the water
A dream and wish for your budding life
Bless yourself, mijita, for you are water too
Adult Category Honorable Mention
"Untitled" by Jodi Creager
The mighty river flows from her fingertips.
Chiles and roses,
Santa Maria.
Earth rises up
Greet the soil
Sew the lifeblood.
It's in her veins,
The ground,
The chile.
In her corazon.
Tempered voices
Bless the desert
Bounty.
The mighty river flows from her fingertips.
City of crosses,
Jesus Cristo.
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