PALMAS

swaying left and right with the wind
like hips swinging to the sounds of the conga
then returning to its center, la calma
palmas
Some thin like a beanstalk and
some thick like piñas
when I think of how they stand tall and free
I think of how we were meant to be like palm trees
growing in warm climates
without the heavy weight of layers
that hide our flavor, nuestro sabor
we were meant to be like palm trees
standing strong, no matter what huracan may come
we were meant to be like palm trees
once symbols of victory, peace, and fertility
we were meant to be like palm trees
with our leaves raised up, worshiping God
we were meant to be like palm trees
ondeando sola, fuerte, independiente
palmas
I once called them coconut trees
I hope to see you everyday in more than just my dreams...

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The Things We Carry

writing is a privilege
an outlet, a voice
we get to leave behind
but what about the illiterate and the poor in spirit
what about the enslaved, the undocumented, the occupied, the colonized
kept from progressing, from learning, from growing
stripped away of their identity, de su esencia
left with no outlet, no ability to write what they feel, to tell their story
not allowed to speak, told that all they knew was wrong
that who they were at their core was not worthy
that they should have never been born
….and these are the things we carry
in our bodies, in our hearts, en nuestro espiritu
what did our ancestors rely on to guide their paths
to push themselves forward
the strength of faith, la música, community, learning to listen to the voice within
to continue to survive and thrive so the next generation can live better
communicating via the sounds of the drums and the call and response
taking leaps of faith believing in themselves,
making those treks to new land leaving it all behind in hopes to return someday...
I long to be the hand that my abuelitas use to write their stories
I long to be la voz de mi abuelo who once stood up for what he believed in
I long to be his freedom voice for patria
I long to live in a way that honors them and paves the way to a new generation
a fearless, healing, empowered people who know where they come from
and what they have left behind
that will tell the stories that have not been told and set free our hearts and souls
……………...
Inspired by abuelita’s dreams