Sidewalk Shrine

Someone has set up a sidewalk shrine
next to the pharmacy on Agua Fria Street

An Orphic Abuelita sleeps there every night
beneath crocheted blankets and handmade quilts
Teddy Bears and metallic balloons
sympathy cards, birthday cards
plastic flowers and real flowers
faded photographs
frozen tears
magical wishes
alleged confessions
false sympathy and
enough regret to keep her warm until morning

All this piled on top of one frail aged woman

                                          who dreams of flesh and blood

                                                          while lightly touching an empty yellowed cradle