Jen Yáñez-Alaniz

KNEELING QUINCEAñERA

Virgencita of first dance mercy
A holy rosary twists around the wrist

A ribboning flows from between soft thighs
The crimson sin of Eve’s unraveling

Quinceañera offered in blooming white
Vessel of sex and transgression

I kneel

Place two dozen red roses
at Mother Mary’s feet

My gilded crown tilts
toward Her radiance

From my throat a retch
an absolution

Knuckles clench
the base

of my altar