Nilsa Mariano

The Chimes

Sneaky, seditious, subversive, sieve of time
the daisies in the garden are full, bright blooming
children at play, feeling the breeze, sunlight fading
petals close in, quiet in the garden and lawn
vamping days pass, exhausted, small dots of color hold on
time, you vampire of beauty, bloom, petals and vines
blood in the veins once flash and awe
clog, turn blue, slow, forgetful
water boiling in a pot offers many possibilities
pasta, tea, coffee, soup
or third-degree burns
time the carrier of plagues, fiestas, christenings
changing markers on a growth chart
you reach for them while they reach for the door
time you rascal
offering love in a fast-moving current
they start with you on water skis
they grow up to guide the boat
your hands and eyes
on the tow rope as they go
faster, further your hold gone
the playful, carnival sound rings
shouting for money they crowd in
running to catch the ice cream truck
arms flailing dollars
choosing fudgsicles, push pops
waffles or sundaes, grab extra napkins
the successful walk back home
now a scoff of tinkling chimes
distant sound of laughter
one ice cream cone

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Nilsa Mariano graduated Binghamton University with a Masters in Comparative Literature. At heart she is a Brooklyn girl. Nilsa was published in Muleskinner, Five Minute, Wildgreens, and Stone Canoe. She is proud of being published in the inaugural edition of Chicken Soup for the Latino Soul. Nilsa prefers crushed ice.