False Advertising
Translated from Portuguese by John Keene The first time I kissed It was my girlfriends who kissed They invented a flavor, a style, a smell My lips weren't there. The first time I kissed The prince was chosen by these dreaming girls He was a jerk to me A toad, a dragon that spat its fire on me I don't know what it was like They didn't see my closed eyes I wasn't there.
Originally published in the December 2018 issue of Words Without Borders. © Cristiane Sobral. By arrangement with the author. Translation © 2018 by John Keene. All rights reserved.