Tres Mujeres

By Juliana Vargas

I have no graves
No mounds of dirt with too green grass
Granite headstones bleak and gray
Nothing to remind me to shed tears
Mourning day in and day out

The women in my life
Were not meant for dirt
For rainy days
And bawdy plastic flowers

Instead I will adorn this place
Bright ribbons of rainbow silk
Like the ones her old hands would braid in my hair
So I could dance in a brightly colored skirt
The younger had sewn
Full and round to swing under the eucalyptus tree
As the scratchy record played
Children dancing in the fine country breeze

Young and old clapping time to the mariachi music
Laughing and smiling
Reminding me always who I was
Even though I sometimes wanted to forget

Afterward, I would sit and write my long missives
For my other special lady
She took such pride in my abilities
And my well manicured hands

Waiting for me to follow through
Promises of a visit
Long talks under warm blankets
She held my hand till my sleepy eyes
Revealed sweet dreams
Her fat little dog nestled between our tired legs


I don't find the beauty of my women in mounds of dirt
I find them in my memories
I find them in the light of the candles
I find them here on this table draped in bright ribbons of rainbow silk

Where I celebrate the great loves of my life
The joy of my youth
My special ladies