Juana

She is one of the women who found me before I did
Her strength rooted in her culture
Her resilience quilted into her children and grandchildren

She taught me how to sip scotch 
And drink life

I remember
Cloth Mary Janes dangling
While secrets floated in bubbles held still by whispers
"Is it clear?"
Laughter erupts years later, as we recount

Those times were effervescent
Attractive to those who stood by and asked,
"Can we join you?"

The Three Musketeers, we joked
Heads bent over another bowl of guac
Juana, Delores and Jenna

She always finds me.
My phone rang last night
And her voice asks cheerfully,
"Ah, how's my girl?"

It's been years and only a breath
And as usual, she inspires.