Save Face

Abuelita 

life was much easier

when I could stop by 

see your face 

cry in your arms

and tell you anything 

no matter what

but you've been gone 

for some time now 

so the only face

I can see is my own

abuelo used to say

pressure can burst pipes

or make diamonds

he's been gone a lot 

longer than you have

nevertheless

I promised not to

let either of you down

maybe that's why 

I struggle so much

am I trying too hard 

or not hard enough 

both feel the same 

if I give up now though 

what would become of

not just your legacy 

but my own

© 2025