meet oro.

this is my neighbor, oro. 

she is seventy years old and has approximately four teeth. 

she has lived on this side of the island her entire life, 

dances in the streets to the music in her head,

kisses me on the cheek every time she sees me,

and calls me "mi corazón."

she also keeps watch over my casita while i'm gone,

speaks a mile-and-a-half a minute,
gives me necklaces to give to my papá,

and slices me fresh mango from the tree while i read on the porch.

i sure will miss her when i leave.