Hello! Being in this beautiful country, I’ve been thinking a lot about Latin culture and how family-oriented it is. My Abuela is someone who has been on my mind all day. I spent today wandering around Recoleta with Sister Bernarda, the woman who is in charge of the church we’re living at this month. The two of us went grocery shopping, bought fruit at a local market, and made Jell-O with fresh strawberries together. It was so much fun. She is so sweet and funny. And she reminds me a lot about my abuela. So. I wrote a poem for her. Poems are kinda my thing, if you haven’t already guessed. Enjoy!
“rico! rico!”
one of my first memories
of us
my soft, chubby hand
reaching out to
the bright pinks
and creamy caramels of
fresh helado
“ay, que linda!”
your gentle guiding hand
your smile
warm and mischievous
hiding only
the best kind of secrets
i remember
when i was young
your kitchen
softly lit
in the summertime
rice stuck to the
bottom of a pot
big enough
to feed
six hungry cousins
squirming and laughing
over inside jokes
two sets of
titis and uncles
chatting away
about the world and its beauties
you and mamá
seated together
always together
mother and daughter
in reverse roles
your hands are the same
both strong
with the same nimble fingers
the strength in you
astounds me
maria,
you know me inside and out
all other abuelitas
would fall to their knees
at your great wit
and dedication
and joy
and hard work
and perseverance
you show me
what it means to be
a woman
a truly strong woman
my abuela
is not one
to be trifled with
my abuela
had too much to do
and still found time
to dance with me
under fluorescent light bulbs
my abuela
waited in a hospital all day
and then all day again
and again
and again
yet she still
stayed up late
in her squeaky recliner
me on the air mattress
to romance me
with tales of love and loss
from days gone by
my abuela
is a teacher
not just of español
but of great heart
and wildness
and compassion
and adventure
i could sit
and listen
to her rapid, spunky
puerto rican accent saying,
“ay, dios mio!”
“te amo, mi amor.”
with plenty of
abrazos and besos
to go around.
abuela,
your gray hair suits you
but i’ll always think
of the fiery red
and glistening amber
of your curls
and your milk chocolate eyes
and the way your cheeks turn pink
when you laugh
so loud and hard
you told me
“go on adventures”
“live your life”
“don’t be scared”
well, abuela
here i am.
i sing every day
and think of you.
tú eres mi corazón, abuela
te quiero mucho
-emm
