Learning to speak ~By Natalia Martinez-Kalinina

Night, swollen with wind, hinchada, 

sky sliced open, 

blue pouring out of darkness, secretoso, 

stars, like salt on a blanket, 

crystal broken on velvet,

 —a tiny yes, nodding when you’ve already decided. 

Slices,

carvings, 

rebanadas, 

casi tajadas, 

abras, casi abrazos,

quiebros, 

—a big yes,

good news, 

unabashed screaming in a parked car. 

©2026. Natalia Martinez-Kalinina for Palabras con Alas. All rights reserved.