But I once did.
My dad with his
rich voice and callused
brown fingers.
Just put a beard on you
and you’re his twin.
He’s the one to blame
For my thick brow.
For my olive-colored skin.
For my bilingual ear.
He steps into the kitchen
and leaves with a nose full
of red pepper flakes.
Sweeps our wooden hallway.
Sweeping away crumbs of
spice coated trail mix
and Gus’s dense white fur.
I came home from college
With dark undereye bags
and stomach screaming.
Toma.
Take this.
He handed me a bag
Oberto Original Beef Jerky.
He’s known to express love
Through forms of protein.
I sit back spooning Greek yogurt
into mouth as he reheats baked chicken.
It’s fake meat I promise, tofu.
Quieres?
You want?
I grin as he reaches into the freezer
And pulls out a veggie burger
Te amo Mija.
I love you too.