Elegy for My Quinceañera

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Over my mother’s dead body, I arrive

dressed in the traje de charro,

my father’s Gibson Les Paul strapped to my chest

with one red carnation behind my ear.

Dressed in the traje de charro

singing Paloma Negra bringing my tías to tears

with one red carnation behind my ear.

My necklace of Guadalupe blessed by my grandmother

singing Paloma Negra bringing my tías to tears.

The tamales slip out of their dresses.

My necklace of Guadalupe blessed by my grandmother

resplendent in marigolds. On a tablecloth of jeweled green

the tamales slip out of their dresses

when we talk too loud, not because of the music

resplendent in marigolds, on a tablecloth of jeweled green.

I will stain my lips with hibiscus

when we talk too loud, not because of the music.

My father’s Gibson Les Paul strapped to my chest

I will stain my lips with hibiscus

over my mother’s dead body, I arrive.