Driving to Blanco State Park

Words by Ana Camacho Espíritu
Art by Jeylene Cabrera

pack up things I needsome

thing to swim in
something to stay cool in

put some berries in a jar,
ice in a box

perhaps a sandwich
if the belly says so

fill a big bottle of water
with some ice for the road

of course, take the book
I’ve been reading

and why not the one
I've been waiting to dive into?

a journal, too, should come with
please don’t forget a pen

oh! can’t forget to bring a book,
did I say

?roll a joint for the way there
and one for the way back

begin the journey to that moment
and start the car

all the way to the state park
sing the songs I like to yell out loud,

the ones with which I’ve exorcized
several demons out
of my house-body before

when I arrive at the river,
only regret for a bit of a second

that I did not bring a speaker
to continue listening to the songs

then listen to the water, her trees
,thank them for their songs

greet the ducks, the moss,
and the moths
hello, mosquitos.
nice to meet you, flowers
oh sun, and here you are,
nice to see you again
love the feeling of your rays
all over my face
sun, river, trees,
when you see me I feel love
I am free when I join you
in your song

driving myself here
getting high without a driver’s license
in a nation-state that I have
no license to live in
neither gave nor took freedom
from me

choosing to be here
gave me freedom
my liberty is in deciding
on you, riverI am free when I join you
in your song.