mango con chile
paprika and chili powders
dried mango strips
packaged in plastic.
fingers pick up mangoes,
place in palm of hand.
skin oils mingle with spices
and red orange particles
seep underneath fingernails.
fingers press and rub eyes,
swirling spices into tear ducts.
sudden awareness of spice residue
transfer from fingers to eyes.
salty spicy tears pour out
gotas de lágrima con chile