Alana Rodriguez

amor eterno

In 1990, Juan Gabriel performed his hit, “Amor Eterno,” for the first time at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, six years after its composition. An elegy for his mother, Gabriel dedicates his performance to all the mothers in attendance—and all those who are a little farther away. When he points his microphone toward the crowd, they mourn in unison.

there are no stifled flames here
only voices in vigil at the will
of his magic on stage

he commands     demands     and takes
control as a gift
for releasing a cry so human

no god could understand
how the women follow in chorus
arms outstretched like kindling

for mothers listening from the rafters
i think of my grandmother
my mother     their eyes     mine

how we carry this flame and take it
singing louder     to reach farther
than heaven itself

he wails     Mamá
and she answers in echos
in chimes     in sparks

There Is Only This

August burns hotter than any other month. 
Sweat lines my hands and my eyes. My thighs
between yours while you ask if I want kids 

someday. Behind the question is a plea,
a need, to be a father like your own—
a champion, a hero, someone 

grander. Stunted, scared I am growing
into my mother, scared that my mother 
may never hold something that I’ve grown,

I say yes. I imagine she’ll be a Leo, with deep,
curly hair and an ego somewhere between 
yours and mine, just right, just enough

to make this all bearable.

Down at the Gaslamp