Asiel Adan Sanchez reading ‘Autorretrato’

self-portrait with filter coffee and cigarettes.

con malos hábitos.

with my morning meds.

con dulces agrios.

as unsent letters.

en mole rojo.

with a bundle of memories.

con los consejos de mi madre.

with a mouthful of kisses.

en papel picado.

with my very empty arms.

with the right kind of papers.

con hogar y sin casa.

as hope and opportunity.

with blurry edges.

with self-care.

pensando en ti.

as the boulder and

as the mountain.

self portrait

with all of you

still missing.

Glossary

con malos hábitos: with bad habits

con dulces agrios: with sour sweets

Mole rojo: red, spicy, curry-like sauce typical of Mexican cuisine

con los consejos de mi madre: with my mother’s advice

en papel picado: in pecked paper

con hogar y sin casa: with house, but without a home

pensando en ti: thinking of you 

Asiel Adan Sanchez is an organic, gluten-free, vegan, single origin, ethically sourced gender fluid. They may be found in late-night hospital shifts writing lines of poetry in between melancholic insulin orders. Born and raised in Mexico, their work is an attempt to reconcile culture, race, gender and sexuality. They spend their free time kissing boys and crying in public.