There is a word in Spanish: Guapa.

It is said the way one smacks one’s lips after sucking on a particularly tart piece of candy. Say it.

It means, “beautiful woman”, but not just ordinary beautiful. Not just pretty. Not that.

It means gushing blood from a wound beautiful.

Pupils dilating beautiful.

My mouth is a desert beautiful.

Slowest fire in my veins beautiful.

“Be the mother of my children” beautiful.

That’s guapa. The woman who truncates your next step because her loveliness is the stones in your pocket as you ease into the river.

That is guapa, my love. That, is you.