The façade (La fachada)

From my own book ‘untitled’.

The façade (La fachada)

To my father, a man who carried a rock solid façade

even when his core was crumbling…

Despite feeling like the mould

corrodes the inner walls of my house,

the cobwebs trap my optimism

and the dirt on my windows

cloud my judgement,

my façade is firm like rock,

my foundations keep me standing,

and the steel frame of my bones

allow me to function.

Nevertheless, the cracks on that façade

and those old leaks on my ceiling

reveal my instability to the neighbours,

whom, with genuine concern

ask what is wrong,

why isn’t my house shining.

I say everything is all right

and can almost get away

without further explanation,

while I sit here

knowing that rotting is inevitable

and silently wishing

for demolition

when in reality I know

that a coat of paint

and perhaps new blinds

will have to do

because this house is too old

because previous tenants

have left indelible marks,

and the façade is still standing.