Carmen

Carmen smells incense, speaks stories and tongues,
colors the sunset of Praia
raindrops and waterfalls splash in her lungs,
voice we have come to admire

harsh like the waves that are licking the shore,
rough like the coastline of Lisbon
proverbs and idioms, songs and folklore
whisper to enter and listen:

you are the ocean,
i am the coast
pick up the potion
you like the most
you are the sailor,
surfing the tides
show me where your power hides

colorful dresses and cashmere shawls,
Carmen’s the queen of this city
waving the songs into branches and shores,
yarns very random and pretty

greeting the strangers and hugging the friends,
blessing the sailors and divers
talking the world into making amends,
trading the shawls for survivors

you are the ocean,
i am the coast
pick up the potion
you like the most
you are the sailor,
surfing the tides
show me where your power hides