Flor de la Canela (The Cinnamon Flower)

All the Roses | In the Dark | Night Tremens

Mambo

© Carl Hathwell

When twilight falls,
a misty penumbra
that clouds the day
like tincture clouds
clear water,
I glimpse other twilights
long past
shadows within shadows

and Mother's beautiful sisters
again hover gently, caringly
over my bed,
their flowing black hair
and velvet brown eyes
softening the light.
"Calla, mijito, duerme, chulito,"
coos one, easing me
into quiet darkness

And dance how they could dance!
in circles like drunken
wafted butterflies,
swaying and dipping,
laughing and kicking their feet
in the cadenced jumble
of a savage mambo.
"Hombres, que soy buena, que soy buena yo!"
shouts one, taunting the men.
She rocks, whirls
and then: