another lovely poem

"El Alacran Guero"- Cisneros

They say el alacran guero can kill
you. that's what they say.
of all the scorpions that exist,
the white one is the deadliest.

one sting
makes the tongue thick,
asphyxiates
before you know it,
you are another
fatality.

Beware el alacran guero
whose grief arrives delayed.

Even if all your life you
you'd been warned
even if youve snuffed
your eyes to their beauty
like a passionate St. Lucy
you are not immune.

unaware is how Death
will find you. Coiled in
your righteous sleep.