Selena Cotte

Cantina

Thelma, we are never more (less)
honest with one another than inside
a Taco Bell Cantina, legally drinking rum
with our Baja Blasts

maybe one stop from home,
sometimes before picking up our third
from Midway airport, making her wait,

you with a bean burrito,
news about a man who isn’t treating you right,
or is that me,
usually beginning status reports with
“I’m so glad nacho fries are back”
and “Yes, I will take your nacho cheese”

Thelma, we are never honest
with one another, not since sophomore year
or whenever the last fight was, and certainly not
in the resolution. But I will always love you and how you’ll
drop less interesting plans to meet me
at the Taco Bell Cantina
thank you for pretending your love for me
is as strong as it is for the vegan black bean
burrito.