Naomi Ayala, Guest Editor Introduction to the Spring 2005 Issue (Volume 6, Number 2) Expanding Latino Identity This issue highlights the work of both emerging and established Latino writers and visual artists. While not wholly representative of the rich mix of Latino ethnicities in the Greater Metropolitan area, these writers and artists do provide us with a window into the wealth and development of the thriving Latino arts community here. We introduce you to the poetry of an African-American/Mexican, an Argentinean, a Canary-Islander/Catalonian, and two Puerto Ricans. The themes of their work range from cultural identity and cultural affirmation to the translation of class issues into everyday life, the current White House administration, the influence of music in healing kept silences, and the power of claiming one’s spirituality and sensuality. The visual artists—one Argentinean and two Puerto Ricans—bring us the broad landscape of the indigenous, inside and outside ourselves, through portraits, city- and landscapes, and artistic renditions of hieroglyphs from countries that range from Mexico to Australia. The media through which they speak is as varied as their artistic visions. Much as in our respective countries, where art and poetry do without borders that divide them, this issue rounds up many mirrors that reflect our people, nuestros pueblos, and our expanding identities.   To find out more about the visual artists featured in this issue, please see the following web sites: http://www.fragnitoart.com and http://www.absolutearts.com/portfolios/r/rixturey. To read more of this author's work: Naomi Ayala Ayala's Tribute to Paul Lawrence Dunbar: The Memorial Issue Naomi Ayala: DC Places Issue Naomi Ayala: Split This Rock Issue Naomi Ayala: Tenth Anniversary Issue   CONTENTS John Murillo Point For My New Neighbors Who Walk with Purses, Lips, and Asses Clutched Tight as they .....Hurry Past Me on Their Way to Starbucks with a Cell Phone in One Hand and a Leash .....in the Other Invoking Marvin at Midnight The President of the Sankofa Society Sheds His Double Consciousness Melanie Rivera Last Night Cage Habit Turns Luis Alberto Ambroggio Deadlines/Deadlines New Administration/Nueva Administracion The Witness Bares His Soul/El testigo se desnuda Ada Vilageliu-Díaz Ode to Hairy Women Drago Passion in Four Movements Bereber Samuel Miranda Traffic Light Shoot-Out Greetings from the War And Miriam Cried boredom creates opportunity I Fear the Howling of Hounds