Selena and Me

At first, she cannot talk. Everything she says sounds

recorded, like I’ve heard it before. And I have.

Me siento muy excited. Donde esta el script?

She can only say what she’s said before.

Interviews, songs. Pizza, she keeps saying, pizza.

So I order us a pie. She wolfs it down.

Her skin flashes cheese and pepperoni. I turn on that Netflix

special that gives a rundown of the last thirty years of history.

There’s a horrifying dial-up sound coming from her mouth

when she learns that Princess Diana died. Then Michael Jackson.

I put a finger to my mouth and shake my head.

I know, I tell her. I know.

I don’t want her to wake up my roommates.

You call me again. I ignore.

I start to fall asleep. I am exhausted.

I leave my laptop open for her.

I do not think Selena sleeps, and anyway, when I’m around

her it’s like the TV is always on, even when it’s not.

You always said leaving the TV on is

a good way to invite spirits into the room.

All of those wavelengths, You told me.

You call me again. I turn my phone over.