It's as hot as always in Puerto Rico.
Lisette takes three showers a day.
One before school
One at lunch time
One before bed.
So skinny she is I think
she'll disappear
along with the soap
down the shower drain--
I wish.
I, on the other hand, don't
let anybody, including me,
comb my hair
wash my hair
cut my hair.
Showers? On Saturdays--
if there's time
if it isn't raining
if, by chance,
I don't have a green cold.
The sugarcane fields are burning.
Ashes fall down on our porch,
an inch at least.
I take off my shoes and socks
and skate as if in the Unites States.
As in snow, I fall.
Ashy nose
ashy hands
ashy feet
I go to bed.
"Pig" Lisette says.
Pigs have fun;
pink clean sisters don't.
9 comments:
This is exquisite, Carmen! So visual. We need a collection of your poems/memories for a book. Include this in that collection.
Carmen,
I agree with Christy. Exquisitely written from a young girl's point of view!
Carmen, that is amazing. It could be a picture book. Should be a picture book. I love the last line.
I guess you had all the fun when you were little!
Fun poem, mom :) I agree that it's very visual!
Carmen! I love this! Your sister and my sister have something in common-- this rings so true-- yes, a picture book!
I am smiling: want to skate on ash. When I was small we would hose down the carport, put dish soap on the water and slip and slide. Is New Orleans as hot as Puerto Rico?
Carmen, Beautiful picture and beautiful poem. Thank you for transporting us.
What a wonderful description of such two very different sisters, and with such economy of words. I, too, think it has the potential for a picture book...and I think it is lovely just as it is now, too!
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