www.takebacknyu.com

Two, always two… y que pasa cuando there’s just one
Whats the other to do
Could never replace you
You were the strong one
The one who was to do with less so the others may have more
Sin ti it seems the whole world’s come undone
I remember entering the funeral home
Pense que A was you
I went to you, seeking comfort, hugs and love
When I looked up at your face, I saw it was not you
It was she, she who did not know/love/care for the stranger at her knees
I remember the stories you told me of the evil step sisters, those who never cared…
Never once thought for a minute your gemela could be among those over there
Gathered in the corner with their bochinche brooches
Chisme scarves securely fastened
You never once took A’s name in vain, her secret safe till you boarded your plane
But it didn’t go back to from whence you came
Death mirrored life
To the cemetery you went
To join the man who you heaped curses upon the last decade of life
Oh so far from the street strewn with moon where you entered the world
From the rock filled river where you grew of age
I waited for A to stop the proceedings
Yelling out that your place lay deep within the land of the lord
Next to the mother whose failed heart you inherited without a word
You often told me you would have given anything to remain in her fold
I rose to my knees as she shoved me away
I couldn’t help but want to say
She would have done better, she would’ve done exactly as you asked
Nothing would have stopped her… she would have fought
Con every ounce her four ten frame could muster
Till it was set right
I didn’t
The day left me numb
Every step we took moved us farther from her wishes
I’ll take her back one day, to her mother
Past places of which she spoke, faded long ago
Putting to rest the hopes and dreams carried  there and back again
What she could not do herself, and her hermana gemela would not do, her querido gemelos would set right
Our little niño’s and niña’s at our side, we’ll  set her up for some long overdue rest
As we walk away and say our goodbyes, mi hija Graciella will fall and scrape her knee
Scooping her up for care and comfort,
My mind will arrive the song I’ve been waiting my whole life to sing
“El Baile del Penguino”
Soothing her and I both, it does its best to wash the hurt away…