My mom taught me to pull needles 
off the spines of evergreens
and roll them between 
my fingers 
Tuck the scent of unripe guavas 
and limes
behind my ear
When the sun slumps over
and the wind brings the perfume
to my nose
she said picture her and jesus 
barefoot in a grove
talking about sweet sticky rice wrapped
in banana leaves 
tending to dragonfruit trees