Strawberry Girl

Strawberry Girl

written by Claudia Lezama

Apr 4, 2026 

"Would you like to see my backyard garden?" she asked, her voice brimming with excitement. "I have a strawberry plant specifically for you." I followed her as she guided me along the path. We then stopped before an array of neatly arranged planter boxes in her garden sanctuary. My gaze swept across the verdant expanse. She delicately reached towards the strawberry plant, her fingers delving into the lush foliage. She spread the plant revealing a marble-size strawberry with green and reddish hues. “It will be ready in a couple of weeks,” she said. I noticed her eyes gleaming with anticipation. Avoiding eye contact is a habit of mine; it evokes a sense of vulnerability in me, as if we were laid bare before one another. I evaded her beautiful blue eyes for a moment until I noticed a sunray anointing her face, I have never been touched by the sun the way the sun has touched her. bringing to mind the recollection of our first encounter. It felt as if the sun was presenting her to me again. And while her face glowed under his light, only a caustic sensation remained on mine. Envy towards her took over my soul. Not once, but many times I have been a witness to this unfairness. I crave the sun’s kind touch. But I have only received searing heat on my now fragile, wounded skin. She possesses the sun’s attention, a warm I crave but can never hold, and the sun is kind to her. She glows in its presence, while a bitter afterglow is all that it leaves on me. But now she is tending my strawberry, so I will smother my desire for the sun and leave it to her, the sun I yearn for but never had and never will. Goodbye, my sun; I will leave you with the strawberry girl. Be kind to her; do not burn her or leave stains on her beautiful porcelain face. And to the girl, enjoy the sun for me and take care of my strawberry.