Thoughts of Age
She sips her morning tea, peering out the window through
semi-vacant eyes. The withered leaves are falling as
she struggles to see. The little children jostle as they wait for
a bus which will take them to the place of learning, fun and safety.
She remembers herself at that age when going to school was
a privilege and an honor, and they had better behave.
Or else, she or her sister would have Papá y Mamá to sidestep.
Would it be a nalgada or the dreaded scornful eye?
And she wonders how those memories can be so vivid yet she
draws a blank on where she put her keys or her checkbook.
A tear appears and it rolls down her right cheek as she realizes
that those wonderful memories will one day escape her mind and be lost to the universe.
¡Válgame Dios! She mutters to herself in frustration
at what she cannot think of or picture as vividly. God help me!
What good is it to have maintained my physical health
when I can no longer recollect my daily thoughts?
Her thoughts are interrupted by the slamming of the
kitchen screen door as her comadre says, "Andale, Juanita,
we have no time for melancholy. Hoy es jueves,
we got yoga, bingo and today Mario makes his caldito!”
She snaps back to the Now, vowing to enjoy another day,
for the bus will arrive soon
to take them to the senior center,
the place of learning, safety and fun.
Roger Rios and Vic Martinez
June 20, 2014
She sips her morning tea, peering out the window through
semi-vacant eyes. The withered leaves are falling as
she struggles to see. The little children jostle as they wait for
a bus which will take them to the place of learning, fun and safety.
She remembers herself at that age when going to school was
a privilege and an honor, and they had better behave.
Or else, she or her sister would have Papá y Mamá to sidestep.
Would it be a nalgada or the dreaded scornful eye?
And she wonders how those memories can be so vivid yet she
draws a blank on where she put her keys or her checkbook.
A tear appears and it rolls down her right cheek as she realizes
that those wonderful memories will one day escape her mind and be lost to the universe.
¡Válgame Dios! She mutters to herself in frustration
at what she cannot think of or picture as vividly. God help me!
What good is it to have maintained my physical health
when I can no longer recollect my daily thoughts?
Her thoughts are interrupted by the slamming of the
kitchen screen door as her comadre says, "Andale, Juanita,
we have no time for melancholy. Hoy es jueves,
we got yoga, bingo and today Mario makes his caldito!”
She snaps back to the Now, vowing to enjoy another day,
for the bus will arrive soon
to take them to the senior center,
the place of learning, safety and fun.
Roger Rios and Vic Martinez
June 20, 2014