I remember middle passage

I recall the waves
the saltwater vomits
the excretory pains
while mi fingers plays with the maderos of the boat
I remember el tumbaquetumba
the girl next to me who touched my elbow
and died next morning
the mother who committed asphyxia to her baby boy
out of compassion
those two women
friends from the same village
glitter in four pupils
magic in four eyebrows
they make a promise to each other
barabtubembón
the lighted skin one
bit the other in the neck
both closes their eyes
 

From the book ‘Saeta, the poems’