BIO
Massiel Alfonso is a Dominican writer, spoken word poet, and author of Handful of Poems. Handful of Poems is her first collection of poems, in her book she uncovers the aftermath of a broken heart and toxic relationships she’s encountered throughout her young adult life. Massiel began writing poetry at the age of eleven. Through poetry she’s discovered her passion for creating art from her experiences and bottled-up emotions. Her poetry explores topics such as love, heartbreak, trauma, loss and self-love. She writes to inspire those whose voices have been silenced or believe their stories don’t matter. Massiel has published her work in Poetry Undressed (In The Dark), La Libreta (No soy gringa), Elle Leva Magazine (Soul Sex), Spanglish Voces (Brugal Añejo), She Rose Magazine (My Body Tells Me), and most recently in The Abulea Stories Project. She is also a member of the Dominican Writers Association Writers Salon and can be found at massielalfonso.com.
Clock Says
Mom said you were coming today.
Mom said matching outfits.
Mom said “arreglate esa greña”
Sis said “comb the baby hairs” while handing me a toothbrush
dipped in hair gel.
Sis said “tie your big hair with these shoe laces. It’s the
only thing that’ll hold that pajón together.”
Mom said he’s coming at 10:00am
Sis and I bet noon
Sis said sit
So, I sit
Sis says wait, so we wait
And wait
And wait
And waiting whispers to me to wait some more.
TV says “sugar, spice, and everything nice…”
Sis says Blossom
I say Bubbles
Clock says noon
Clock says 4:00
Clock says Dad where are you?
I say, Dad, where are you?
Dad says he loves me
But his actions say nothing
Mom says nothing
I say nothing
Clock
Keeps
Ticking
Memorias De Mi Niñez
“Voy pa' ya
Voy a buscar la mujer que me domina…”
Dad pours another cup of Brugal Añejo. The alcohol comes out like honey, kisses the rim of his glass. He closes his eyes, locating himself to another place. A place that isn’t our overcrowded one-bedroom apartment.
“Voy pa' ya
Voy a buscar la mujer que me domina…”
Dad collects women like baseball cards. His fingers imitating that of a guitarist. “Me gusta esa baina!” He would sing as the guitar cries out to the beat. Father pours himself another drink this time thinking of la mujer que lo domina. Not mom.
“Voy pa' ya
Voy a buscar la mujer que me domina…”
He’s down to the bottom of the bottle. A place he’s been before. A place I’ve been before.
This was back in 06’ where dad pours his drink and dreams of women that aren’t mom.