Photo: a very young Paulina.

Paulina
Black-haired daughter
sitting on the stoop
Waiting for her mother
Playing Hula-Hoop
Running down the block
Hopping in the squares
For now it's two o'clock
Three o'clock, four o'clock

(Come in now, Paulina,
she isn't coming)

Alma
White-haired mother
lying in the bed
They've called us here
She'll soon be dead
Five o'clock, six o'clock
Seven o'clock, eight —

Nancy
Why didn't you?
Why didn't you ask her why she didn't come when she said she would?
Why did she put you in that home? And leave you there to wait?
Now it's too late.

What can you tell me and what can I tell my girl?
Bits and pieces
Things unsaid
All that you remember
She was brushing your hair
She was feeding you banana bread