I promise to water your flowers
I'll tend to the chayotes and cilantro
I'll never forget (again) to buy the good soil
And I won't be lazy with the spade
I promise your bougainvillea will be tended to
With the delicate care I saved for my guitar
Your pino will be trimmed regularly
And your naranjo will never have seen better days
But maybe I should track a little mud through the back door
Neglect to scrape my tierra-caked shoes on the jerga
And maybe I'll let the wind close the patio door with a slam
And wince, looking to your face for my regaño
Will you scold me for that and shake your head like you used to
And go back to cleaning the beans and rice?
Will you look at me in the eye then, and say jokingly, "No tengas cuidado"
Would you tell me how that reminds you of a morsel of your past?
I promise I'll listen
I'll be so still, so patient
I promise not to rush you along
Even though it's the third time this visit you've told me this story
I promise I won't mind
The casual gossip
The unfounded theory
The occasional sideways prayer
If you just promise me you won't leave me
By myself with your memories
As you sit, a stranger with a face I love so well
Bah, it's a selfish, childish wish
I won't voice it aloud
I'll just promise to water your flowers
And tend to the chayotes and cilantro
*Note: title is from the prayer “Himno de Laura: Estáte, Señor, Xonmigo”, one of Mami's favorite prayers.
