Brandon Shimoda
BLIND CHILDREN
When Armando was eleven months old, he went for a drive with his father
It’s the first thing Armando remembers:
Going for a drive with his father (being in the car with his father)
Facing backwards in his car seat
That is when his eyes opened
They were going to visit Grandma. Grandma lived somewhere (all around)
The second thing Armando remembers
Is his father resting his head against the window
He remembers his father resting
His head slowly
Against the window, then his father’s head
Against the window, as if his father was falling
Asleep. Maybe that is what Armando thought (that his father had fallen asleep)
The car wasn’t moving (all around was not moving)
Armando’s eyes were open. It was the last time he could see
It was the last thing he saw
His father looking
Like he was
Falling asleep against the window
Armando was trapped
In his car seat for two days. His father, not moving, asleep
Did not wake up, no sound
Came out, he dissolved. Armando could not see the road
The sky, small brown stuffs
Sitting on top of tall greens
The sun was in the car. Armando’s skin was burning
The sun was not in the car. His skin was cool. His eyes were open
The whole time (burning, then cool)
When Armando closed his eyes, his eyes were open
He cried. He cried for two days
He did not fall asleep (Maybe he fell asleep)
Even after his uncle’s voice was loud, and the loudness
Beat against the window (the window rattled) Armando could not see the window
Bend. He could not see the glass
On his father’s shoulder
He cried for two days. The two days did not end
Every reversing shadow
Became, still is becoming
A shadow reversing, still coming to
Shatter the window