Monday, June 7, 2010

Afternoon in Lima

The midday summer sun
sends traces of sweat
along his burnt sienna skin.
His curly, black hair
glistens slightly
as we walk across the lawn.

We sit on the ground
in the park across from the Pentagonito,
despite the fact there are benches,
and watch the "just married" couples
get out of their rented limos.
They come here to get their pictures taken
by the fountains and in the gazebo.

I look up at his smiling face as he talks.
He speaks slowly, looking up into the sky,
as he tries to translate his thoughts
from Spanish to English
so that I can understand.

He looks down, takes my hand in his,
and with the other
gently caresses my cheek.
I wait patiently as he tries
to explain the way he feels.

But in this moment I realize:
words are not always necessary
and language is not always a barrier.
So I rest my head on his shoulder
and enjoy the site of the newlyweds
who are seemingly unaffected by the calescent heat.

*Pentogonito is what the locals call the military base in the district of San Borja in Lima, Peru. It means "Little Pentagon."

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Monday, June 7, 2010

Afternoon in Lima

The midday summer sun
sends traces of sweat
along his burnt sienna skin.
His curly, black hair
glistens slightly
as we walk across the lawn.

We sit on the ground
in the park across from the Pentagonito,
despite the fact there are benches,
and watch the "just married" couples
get out of their rented limos.
They come here to get their pictures taken
by the fountains and in the gazebo.

I look up at his smiling face as he talks.
He speaks slowly, looking up into the sky,
as he tries to translate his thoughts
from Spanish to English
so that I can understand.

He looks down, takes my hand in his,
and with the other
gently caresses my cheek.
I wait patiently as he tries
to explain the way he feels.

But in this moment I realize:
words are not always necessary
and language is not always a barrier.
So I rest my head on his shoulder
and enjoy the site of the newlyweds
who are seemingly unaffected by the calescent heat.

*Pentogonito is what the locals call the military base in the district of San Borja in Lima, Peru. It means "Little Pentagon."

No comments:

Post a Comment

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