'chi-mime throwing card in puddle'

SOFÍA

She invites me for a swim
in el Río Miel,
accompanied by her
favorite pupil and
his friend.
In all of these years
I never did,
although I knew the
legend.

Once done, you’ll never leave,
even get married.
This is Ochún’s territory -
the sensuous one,
the seducer.

Walking to the outskirts of town
 - where I’ve been before -,
it all looks more like
going to a dump, first -
beating the dust road
and all of the shacks built along;
the old broken down trucks
waiting patiently to be
repaired.
And everything covered under
banana trees, mango and
aguacate.

She changed her outfit in her
pupil’s home, nearby,
and comes running after us
holding a machete
in her hand.
We hear laughter and see
all of the students behind the
school fence,
amusing themselves.
Their old teacher walking past
in a bathing suit and
holding a large towel
across.

She doesn’t have the
best figure
going into the years,
but she doesn’t give a fuck.
She tell’s what’s on her mind,
yells across the street
whatever she feels like.
She even flirts with her
pupil in public.
Just for a good laugh or
because she means it
as well.

He’s about to be a quinceñero,
and never having asked me
for anything
I helped her out with a
nice gift,
acknowledging he
becoming a man.
That’s why she wanted me to
meet him
in the first place.
He – doesn’t know what’s
coming.

So we dip and plunge
float and dive,
drinking baby coconut milk.
The water’s fresh,
the current
not to strong.
It’s heading for la Boca
where Ochún’s sister, Yemayá
awaits.