East Side Presente

This first published in East Side Magazine, July/Aug/Sept 2022 Yei issue

I am the struggle

The heartache

The headache

I am the success

The joy

The celebration

I am the color

So dark

So deep

Provocatively showing up

Showing out

Standing proud

I am the sacrifice

Of so many immigrants

Of mothers

Of fathers

Of abuelitas and ninos 

I am the fruit

Of their labor

Their laughter

Their tears

I am everything

That makes you love us

Fear us

Envy and deny us

I am