The brick backsplash

that brown, the hue of red she carries in her veins.

Kitchen dinners and living room lies.

Eating together,

the chilaqueles rojos she labored through.

Vegetables,

eggs,

some liquids,

and whatever else I don't remember.

Take is all! The food

Stand tall! Your posture

Do not fall! Balance

and Pressure

painted under the guise of etiquette.

The Pressure,

all so we can eat a full meal

within the walls of the backsplash that bites.

Under the gaze of the coming day,

the steam stains her cheeks with blush--

pinky,

red.

The sacrifices only to be remembered by a mother

and someone else in the background, watching.

A world full of color,

only seen by those who can afford it.