The mango tree with its arms spread like an embrace is home base.
\nThe green grass is boiling lava and the coiled garden hose<\/p>\n
is an island you can land on if you don’t want to turn to ash.
\nThe porch can be safe but only for a flash because the old lady<\/p>\n
with the broom handle will cast a spell on you in Spanish. The pit bull tethered to the avocado tree is a snub-tailed devil. and you’ll have to sink down to the underworld to steal it back. but never burns the Formica cabinets. The old witch stirs all the souls If your soul ends up in her brew, it will turn the color of dishwater. but don’t hide under the eaves because that’s where the wasps hang the Palmetto bugs will come and burrow under your skin, make nests asleep. If you see any yellow mangoes on the ground, scoop the juice which will give you an extra life. The blackened ones are atomic, Don’t lob them at the witch, she will catch them in her arthritic fist
\nSin verguenza, maldita, hija del diablo, desgraciada<\/em>.<\/p>\n
\nIf you get too close, he’ll munch up your soul with his rotten teeth,<\/p>\n
\nThe kitchen is the underworld where fire licks the popcorn ceiling<\/p>\n
\nin a steel pot, takes tiny sips from her ladle, throws in pinches of dirt.<\/p>\n
\nIt will be gritty until your dying day. Sneak in through the back door<\/p>\n
\nand their poison will paralyze your legs. If you can’t run away<\/p>\n
\ninside your bones and you’ll hear them skittering whenever you fall<\/p>\n
\nthem up. You can bite through the skin with your teeth and suck out<\/p>\n
\nthrow them against the old Impala, explode them against the house.<\/p>\n
\nthen stare you dead with her lazy eye. She’ll turn you to a pile<\/p>\n