Heartwood

Day of the Dead

by Lindsey Eck

I met my baby on the Day of the Dead
I was in black; she was in red
Visions of sugar skulls danced in my head
Before she took me to bed
On the Day of the Dead

Mars was in Leo and the Moon was in Cancer
I didn’t ask questions but she gave me the answer
She shone like a nova and she moved like a dancer
And brought the wine to my bread
On the Day of the Dead

A gray chimenea filled the windows with smoke
A boy they called Angel played Mexican folk
A Jesuit prayer was the first thing she spoke
Over the glasses we broke
When we finally awoke

I met my baby on the Feast of All Souls
Her breath was like incense; her eyes were like coals
She took me to the South and North Celestial Poles
At least that’s what she said
On the Day of the Dead
She brought the wine to my bread
On the Day of the Dead
Next year we’ll be wed
On the Day of the Dead