Everything I Know

In this album there's a picture of the ladies at Daniella's

You can tell it's from the 80s by the volume of their hair

There's Usnavi, just a baby

'87, Halloween

If it happened on this block, Abuela was there

Every afternoon I came, she'd make sure I did my homework

She could barely write her name, but even so

She would stare at the paper and tell me, bueno, let's review

Why don't you tell me everything you know?

In this album there's a picture of Abuela in Havana

She is holding a rag doll, unsmiling, black and white

I wonder what she's thinking

Does she know that she'll be leaving

For the city on a cold dark night?

And on the day they ran did she dream of endless summer?

Did her mother have a plan or did they just go?

Did somebody sit her down and say, Claudia, get ready

To leave behind everything you know?

Everything I know

What do I know?

In this folder there's a picture from my high school graduation

With the program, mint condition

And a star beside my name

Here's a picture of my parents as I left for California

She saved everything we gave her

Every little scrap of paper

And our lives are in these boxes

While the woman who held us is gone

But we go on, we grow

So hold tight, Abuela, if you're up there

I'll make you proud of everything I know

Thank you for everything I know