Los monstruos se los llevan
by Priscilla Sanchez
abuelas warn chiquitos about El Cucuy y La Llorona
monstruos que se llevan a los niños
El Cucuy is the monster
beneath their beds, behind their closets
he hides within the dark shadows of the night
he takes children who don’t listen de avisos de las madres
away from their family and loved ones
he snatches children in broad daylight and dark evenings
on their street corners, their homes and beds
La Llorona is the monstress within the fog of unlit roads
she searches for children walking all alone
she takes children who wander after dusk
away into her unclear watery path
she snatches children in the chilling darkness
moments and minutes away from their homes
but they take different forms
los monstruos wear dark bulletproof vests
their hands are heavy with loaded rifles
El Cucuy also takes away good parents
who drop their children off at school entrances
La Llorona also swims in the tears
of wailing handcuffed mothers and caged niños
abuelas warn chiquitos about La Llorona y El Cucuy
monstruos que se llevan a los padres y niños
About the Author
Priscilla Marie Sanchez is the Latinx daughter of Mexican immigrants. Her works revolve around her cultural and personal experiences with social/political themes. She received a B.A. in World Literature and History at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She calls herself a receptive bilingual as she grew up with Spanish but was vocally active in speaking it. She practices as often as she can in hopes of becoming fluent in the future. She resides in Los Angeles, California.