Amy Pickworth

Translation

If you’re standing in the lobby

and headed to the ninth floor,

don’t press the Up button. Press Down.

“So it’s not about what you want,”

I reason aloud. “It’s about

what needs to happen next.”

Carla’s wet eyes surprise me.

She finds meaning in everything.

“Exactamente.”

Outside a vendor sells flowers

that are not impatiens

—they’re alegría.