The Ghost in the Machine The phrase "ghost in the machine" was used by Gilbert Ryle in his 1949

book The Concept of Mind to describe the dualism of Descartes. According to Descartes, the human body may be a machine, but it only became a "person" when it was infused with an immaterial soul. Moves melodically through the cold steel of mechanical streets A silent force of Corazon y cultura thrusting itself Into the avenued cylinders of this man made device Constant, consistent, methodical and precise Motor driven varrio, engine forged in brown fire Lubricating the axels of education and gang geared friction The hum of the neighborhood like a warehouse of voices Constant, consistent, methodical and precise The pulley changes direction with the sun Perfunctory human cogs in automated alleyways Routine resilience like a spring after being compressed and oppressed Constant, consistent methodical and precise Screws and bolts confine communities by constructing casings and cages To contain all the parts of the well maintained maquina Oiled with the tears of our daughters and greased with the blood of our sons Constant, consistent, methodical and precise A million ton torque on the backs of the burdened A heavy load to carry for an overworked machine On the verge of overheating and rioting on the factory floor Constant consistent, methodical and precise The levers of religion and tradition are pulled with exact precision Laser guided cuts and incisions inscribed on walls and minds and hearts Clockwork orange tells time and the hands never change, they just grow old and tired Constant, consistent, methodical and precise Monotonous mental, communal restrictions and fixed habits A conveyor belt of thoughts and ideas packed into boxes and brains Pre-packaged perspectives and priorities, prejudices and promises Constant consistent methodical and precise

The Varrio is a machine That runs on the gasoline sweat of our fathers brows And the fumes of our mothers love Constant, consistent, methodical, and precise The Ghost in the machine Moves with the grace of a falling leaf Gentle breeze on the neckwhispering life Constant, consistent ------breathing hope--------methodical and precise Breaking the cycle of monotony and mundane melancholy Penetrating steel and iron, plummeting into the core of the machine The heart of the Gente Constant----- Organic spirit -----consistent ----breathing hope--- methodical--Weaving webs of laugher---and precise-----joy Blowing through the neighborhood in the form of quinces and weddings Standing on the eaves of birth, and dancing in the eyes of lovers Singing in conscious prayers and floating through the unity of family Kissing eternally the art and music and poetry of those infused with pictures, poems, rhythms and dreams. Smiling in the sparkle of candy paint and chrome of Viclas and Lowriders Swimming in bowls of menudo and climbing a mountain of tamales Drinking the sweet nectar of horchata and playing in the pan dulce The ghost in the machine Moves melodically through the cold steel of mechanical streets It is our soul and our reason for living. ~ Jacob Moreno