Two Poems

Oye, Mi Amor

When I die
Would you make me an altar of azulejo tile?
Would you buy little smiling skulls,
my name written on each skull?
Would you surround my memory
with oceans of marigolds
from the flower markets of Tlalpan
and scatter fistful of petals on the ground
to form the letters of my name?
Would you surround my altar
with: candles from the National Cathedral,
Sandra Cisneros books,
Gary Soto poems,
tragic Luis Zapata novels,
Sonora Santanera
and bachata music, too?
Oh, don't forget my favorite foods (you know, babe):
tamales verdes,
chiles de arbol,
pan de Muerto
and a scoop of Ben & Jerry's Wavy Gravy.

And would you frame my photo,
the biggest you can find,
with crimson terciopelos in full bloom
and place the photo above the altar?
¿No?
Above your bed, instead?
Well, that's okay, too.

          Dia de Los Muertos 1996
          Mexico, D.F.

Boys' Night Out

3 coats of mascara, 2 of lipstick
and eyeliner
Lay it on thick
like an apocalypse on my face
Hop in el voche to La Zona Rosa
Just me and my homeboys
They buy me drinks
light my virgin cigarettes
smooth my traffic jam hair
caress my bristled back.

So let's go next door
honey
you'll love this place
Don't worry
We'll take care of you
they said
Just say Yes

So Yes

This is no ordinary house
Unmarked, surely, like my tomb someday
The doorman in uniform, hostess in tuxedo
No touching
No kissing
No What Comes After That
Without advance pay
And a bottle of Añejo
The ladies on a colonial couch
waiting in a row
each carved and detailed
like the Angel of Independence
Or a pig in La Merced

You there
Sell me your lips
your hair
your stories
I'm with my homeys after all
But leave them be
and come talk to me
Y dime una y otra vez
¿Who loves you, quien?