Wela Used to Talk to Herself, But She Wasn’t Crazy

The first time I heard Wela talking to herself by the window I thought she was crazy.

It wasn’t that she was talking to herself as much as it was her cursing Negra, Cari and Sandra
for staying out late...except they weren’t home yet.

It was like she was practicing what she was going to say as soon as they walked in the door.
A rehearsal to remind them there’s a price to pay for being out on those streets.

But isn’t that what mothering is,
a constant chanting of consejos that children ignore.

She would curse then pray
alternating between the two

because she needed to get the words out
even if the only one listening was God.

And I wonder if Wela’s prayers were for her kids, herself or both.

A petition to Jesus to save them from themselves.