Manuel López Ramírez, Car Ride

Car Ride

Manuel López Ramírez

Sea-boy floats from A to B but he cannot feel the wind. Outside, there should be an idea— That of monumental flows and agitations, Which should remain unseen But become heard and sensed.

Sizzling, the sand whispers; Secrets rush towards him in mammoth stampedes. But they crash against the half-looking-glass Through which he sees it all in a single horizontal strip, yellow and monstrous in its sameness.

Yes, Deep within the desert He can only distinguish himself And the sun, Tiny and burning against its own will, With rays flowing out of it as if they were lightning.

Sea-boy left his head tucked under the waves, Laying amongst starfish and fine strings Of turquoise coral, which entrap his thoughts Like iron bars.

Now he passes by and does not understand. He misses and wishes to go back To a place he knows is no good for him,

To a place where flowy things wait, With shocks on the tips of their fingers.

Because grains of sand look like dried-up bubbles to him, Upon which he cannot find his reflection, Unless he looks at the tinted windows Which entrap him inside his own heart.