Adobo Criollo

Adobo Criollo

Use four teeth of garlic; make sure

they’re not too sweet.  Joe walked home

last night, brought the mangoes,

their taste blends well with lemon adobo. 

Be careful when you mince the onion,

Elegua does not like the crying.

Don’t forget the sour milk,

ask a girl from Marrakech

to sell you some warm goat milk.

If her mother has mustard butter,

buy three pounds, but don’t you even think

of sticking your fingers in any of it. 

I fear you'll fall asleep and perish

on your way back home.

Dig a hole in the backyard of the house,

clean as if you had the midwife’s hands.

Find mesquite and set the fire.  Wait

until the breast begins to brown

before you start to drink the home brew.

Mimic slaughtered pigs:

front feet tucked and tied,

back feet spread, then glaze

with leftover marinade.  Look back,

and don’t forget last season. 

Put down the beer and when the pig

is done, untie, untie 
and dance all night