Mis Verdaderos Amores
(My True Loves)

(An Ekphrastic poem based on the painting
Me and My Parrots, by Frida Kahlo, Mexico 1941)*

by Lisa Molina


Ah, mi vida-


Do you see my true loves
stare into you?
They, like me, see you,
Ah sí.


They whisper truths
into my ears. 
What they see.
What they hear.


When I believe 
your fidelity,
they tell me truth:
You betrayed me.


See how they huddle
to my breasts;
hearing my heart
shatter in its chest?


They stay always
to protect and guard
this nest from its
exploding sharp heart-shards


that would slice your hands 
until they bleed;
body maimed forever,
just like me.


On my shoulder 
my two other loves
hold me tight with
their sharp talon gloves.


Remember when your
arms held me?
Our eyes of fire?
Intensity?


No mas, mí vida.


Now watch these loves
spread open their wings,
never, never letting 
go of me.


Oh, how they
lift me up


Off
Off 
Off


the ground.


My open
heart-wings
now
soaring


Passionately 
Painting 
Pain-


Para que tú
y el mundo


will forever see,


how I rise 


above you


for 


eternity.


* * * * *

*Here is a link to Me and My Parrots, by Frida Kahlo, Mexico 1941: https://www.fridakahlo.org/me-and-my-parrots.jsp

Lisa Molina is a writer and educator in Austin, Texas. She has taught high school English and theatre, served as Associate Publisher of Austin Family Magazine, and now works with students with special needs. She enjoys reading, playing piano, singing, and marveling at nature with her family.  Her writing can be found in numerous online and print journals, including Beyond Words Magazine, Trouvaille Review, Amethyst Review, Neologism Poetry, Ancient Paths, OVERTHINK zine, and The Ekphrastic Review. lisalitgeek.wordpress.com