Rio Grande Madonna
Poetry Inspired by the Avery Collection

Rio Grande Madonna
David P. Bradley
Catalog No: 2000-186-35

Rio Grande Madonna

The Rio Grande Madonna is like the Mona Lisa. A natural beauty like blossoming roses.
But she feels lost in the wilderness like a stray coyote in the Sonoran Desert.

She smiles like the sun but her heart is black like burnt coal.
The Rio Grande Madonna dreams of being outside of this beautiful painting looking in,
But instead she is inside, looking out.

She smiles for it is a new day. Her spirit is free like a white dove.
But when the sun sets, the Rio Grande Madonnna becomes trapped again.
She looks forward to tomorrow’s beautiful horizon.

She returns to her people, whom she loves like the world.
Her smile disappears into the night wind.
Her eyes tear up like the rain falling down,
And the Rio Grande Madonna falls fast asleep.

Celeste Flores
Hohokam Middle School

---

Rio Grande Madonna

The woman’s beauty is natural like a blooming rose
Growing through the dark, wet soil.

She sits in front of her village.

The sun is rising over the Earth and lights up the village
Like a fire lights up the dark sky.

The people are busy like ants collecting seeds.

Her face seems lost, as if her spirit left her body.
She brings joy to her people, but inside, feels like she needs to get out.

She feels trapped like in a cramped box.

She wants something new to make each of her days unpredictable.
She’s strong, but weak like a lonely coyote roaming the desert.

She wants to leave but feels guilt for leaving her people like a quail leaving its babies.

Celeste Flores
Hohokam Middle School