The dirtcheek boys on the grassless patio
Throw stone and dirtlcod at the mango trees
El chucho viejo limps raggedly away
From the children playing cornstalk apache

—————–

Fuego billows again; black cloud sky writer
Chimaltecos sleep cold for the night
After quieting the emberglow fire

—————–

Flies on the belly at the empty lot
And tortillas a la parilla
Mediodía Monte Cristo
Warm sun with a slice of sandía

—————–

Pati is on the roof again
Yelling for Hilaly
And the hummingbirds
And caballitos
Graze eternally

—————–

Dogs swim in the compost pile
Lunching old caldo soup
Arajely prays for manna rain
To the virgin on the stoop

.......................................

El chucho viejo: The old dog
a la parilla: on the grill
sandía: watermelon
caballitos: little horses
caldo: chicken

Monte Cristo Poems