the children gnawed remaining
swizzle sticks of sugar cane inside
little havana, hot and humid
with a tension that belied
the more-than-moderately
loosened of familia política
by the numerous mojitos
as i translated subjunctives
that seemingly incited looks
that cut member from member
adjourning the fiesta, before you:
MACHISTA, EGOÍSTA
turned to me unblinking
whispering low in english
how he treats my mother
how it always gets me
where you pointed
at the lowest
rung of rosary
deep in chest hair
where a crucifix might be
and it was then i understood
Notes:
My song: White Light by Gorillaz
Miami (specifically Little Havana), densely populated and tropical. Climate is hot and humid. Party atmosphere, lots of alcohol. Always brimming with tension, whether political, religious, or familial. Very Latin-inspired, can be difficult to communicate if you’re not familiar with Spanish. Chauvinism/womanizing is fairly common, the behaviour typically being handed down from parent to child.
J. R. Wilkerson (he/him) is a resident of Northern Virginia by way of Lawrenceburg, Missouri. His works have been featured in Roi Faineant Press.