The Last of the Menu Girls

Tues. February 10, 2009 3:30 pm

In the bibs, I have a sudden feeling of loss and sadness while reading "The Last of the Menu Girls" by Denise Chavez. This is what happens when you remember lost memories of childhood while listening to Tom Thumb's "Lifeboat".

I have a vision of myself
Getting up,
Standing up.
La xtranjera,
La Gringa.
Dance, baila, dance.
Arms waving
Everything goodbye.
Security in blue,
Tranquil, tranquil.

I am the little girl
Who pretended she was a dog,
Living in the shade of a pine.
Run, perrita, run.
Tail waving
Everything goodbye.
Dirt dried on my hands,
Sand,
Under fingernails
And the souls of my feet.

I am still,
The dance inside.
Running away.
Everything, goodbye.
Pushing on my piel,
I wash off the dirt.
Silencio-encio.
Feeling our joint heart
Go.
Dance, Run, Stay.
Perrita-ita,
Sea tranquil.
Saying goodbye waving
Goodbye everything.