Rosa de Lima [English translation]

Jimena had a dream next Tuesday,

rolling by spiral steps,

It ended in a maze of platforms

saying goodbye to trains

that I lose.

Jimena has a master in disillutions,

Jimena is an antipersonnel mine,

she remembers loving me every two years

while I manage

to forget her.

Jimena doesn't betray for thirty bucks

and instead of silicone under the sweater,

she has a garden with two lumps of sugar

and a medley of Chabuca

with J.J.Cale.

Rosa de Lima, distant cousin,

cat's tongue, bicarbonate of porcelain,

toothache, rye bread

even the soles of my shoes miss you.

Warm clothing, come, come with me.

Jimena doesn't tear off the petals of the daisies

for fear of being told yes by them,

when she gets choked on mis nochecitas

King David sings her

las mañanitas.

The gods that take my feet off the ground

they iron her little shirt and her bodice,

her nikon, her velvet fan,

her bag of candy,

and her rhythm and blues.

Horizontal, six letters, lady name

damn crossword, damn Bryce,

the buttons of my pajamas die

since nobody calls me

supay, supay.

Rosa de Lima, distant cousin,

cat's tongue, bicarbonate of porcelain,

toothache, rye bread

even the soles of my shoes miss you.

Warm clothing, come, come with me.