11.20.16
my heels
click against the pavement gum
snapping between crimson lips and white teeth my
hair in a bunch on my
head like a cloud, they never think i pay attention (but i do)
click, click
my bangles throw themselves against my wrist
like i did
when i needed to be cherished
if only for a second
qué sangana
the edge of my shorts brush just under my ass
enough to get attention
but play it off like they snuck up as my
thighs brushed together and
really didn't really fit that way
pop
my hoops tap against my neck
keeping the beat of the music around me
i put a flower in my hair and fish around in my purse
its contents condensed to a mango and a tube of
red lipstick.
those white boys around the corner call me "mamita".
ha
the boys from el barrio tell me they like the way I walk
the men say i got a cute face, why don't i smile for them?
i take the mango out of my purse and take a bite.
crunch
i venture off on that path away from the police station
just in case i look a little too real.
the sun begins to set
i watch shades of yellow, pink and orange dance above me
and i know in my heart that my island
is looking at the same sky as i.
i reapply my lipstick and hum a song by Selena on my way home.
