Reflection

When I was an uncaring, selfish teenager
I hated when someone died

because abuela would cover the mirrors
and tell us we could not watch tv for a week

out of respect for the dead
so you see I couldn’t look at my pretty face for days

I couldn’t watch American Bandstand
or 77 Sunset Strip for an eternity

when abuela died I did not cover the mirrors
I did not tell the kids they couldn’t watch tv

pain and sorrow and respect
can not be covered or turned off.