The Markings

By Rebeca Lois Lucret

scientists claim the oldest stories ever recorded
are found on the inside of cave walls
but how do you explain the sweetness of sound
when papi narrates the stories
evident on the canvas of his being

how do you explain the markings
the faded earth once on the side of a womb
then belonging to his mother’s mother
now an image appearing like an armguard
on the top of his left forearm

how do you explain the peeled shaped banana scar
found on the inside of his hand
a yanked fish hook torn straight down his life line
over two generations removed
there announcing its tale as I sit before him

niña,
el cuento del pescador, he’d say

niña,
tu llevas el cuento de la mujer, he said

pointing at the squiggles below my shoulder
four thin lines resembling strands of long hair
communicating the markings of births
today we dismiss them as stretch marks

links evolving on my woman body
an honorable responsibility handed to me
I am our new storyteller
look at my body
look at my build
do you not see I am the totality of an origin
here on the details of my brown skin

sit with me, I have a lifetime to share