Taco poems

Tortilla Jack's opened in 1982, just when I was going into Robinson Middle School. Comics & Fantasys [sp] was just down the way, so I escaped those bullies by running into Comics & Fantasys, turning to the pages of comic books for shelter and support. Afterwards, it was off to TJ's for a Dr. Pepper, a taco, and nachos while I read my weekly gems. I love the burraco now: part taco, part burrito. Please look for my taco poems (below) in the current seveneightfive. :) Also, I look forward to continuing the tradition with my children.

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Taco Showdown Poems

 

Two out of two poets prefer the taste of Tortilla Jack’s over Taco Villa and Taco Casa.

 

 

Tortilla Jack's

                                                                                    Kevin Rabas

Choose four hard corn tacos

   in plain white butcher paper
over some white flour, drip-through
   soft tacos kept warm downtown under a lamp
with a hot orange bulb.

Choose the land of dark hardwood interior

over the land of teal plastic.

Choose the conversation of graying grade school soccer

   coaches over the chatter of slick SUV travelers—
iPhones out--who stop only at the chains.

 

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Tortilla Jack’s Sonnet

                                                                                    Dennis Etzel Jr.

From inside the brick walls, rustic

like stains from oven heat, through
narrow windows, you see the path
away from middle school
bullies, a run, to here— 
comics spread across the table,
a ticket in your right hand,
waiting for your order

number to be called, and no one

will race you for your food.
No one can break through
Captain America’s shield.
No one can steal
your taco and Dr. Pepper.

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Cheap Tacos

                                                                                    Kevin Rabas

 

Walk across from the college

   and get four tacos and a drink
for $5.07 on a weekday.
   Less on the weekend.
See flecks of history painted in brick.
TORTILLA JACK'S
The letters crack in rain and wind.

 

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Tortilla Jack’s Haiku

                        for Eric McHenry

                                                                                    Dennis Etzel Jr.

I asked him to see

a poem there, but, instead,
he found three tacos.

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Kevin Rabas co-directs the creative writing program at Emporia State University and edits Flint Hills Review. He has three books: Bird's Horn, Lisa's Flying Electric Piano, a KS Notable Book and Nelson Poetry Book Award winner, and Spider Face: stories. And forthcoming from Coal City Review Press in March, Sonny Kenner's Red Guitar (poems).