I raise my eyes to the sky, por Laura Alaniz

I raise my eyes to the sky

The whole world

Aches and groans

Do you feel her pain?

The human in me

Wants to heal mankind

It has more wounds

Than I have Band-Aids

(2014)

If food is poetry The flavors The smells Singing in harmony Is poetry food?

Long and slender Her every movement Deliberate and graceful Composed as She listens quietly

The more you treat me like a nag The more I become one I’m sorry if I micromanage Your clean clothes Your hot meals

Your pain is far away I hear it But I do not feel it Move closer Let me know you’re here to stay

Didn’t they know that people cared? That they were loved? Why didn’t someone tell them?

Filler words Put me to sleep Added to cushion Take away my pillow Blunt words to wake up

When the emotion comes up It feels like heartburn Like acid Clenching my throat My ears go watery

Would I rather be A younger me? More productive Stronger Would i have to give up

Life is good A little luxury A cup of coffee Served with toast Consumed lazily

When I think of my mom I think of malt o meal muffins When I think of my dad Memories of a child Chasing us around the circle

I crave stability Neither wandering spirit Nor home-body Yes I’d love to travel But the foundation

No pido disculpas Por escribir Lo que siento Lo que llevo adentro Lo que vivo

Husband and wife Companions for life Mature love that deepens And mellows with time Life’s eroding winds

Well-intentioned stranger Eyeing me limp through HEB Why would you ask If I stepped on a nail? How do you know

A family trait Massage Is our vice No shame Take what