I Am Poem

By: Diana Rea Flores

I am from the land of Guanajuato, Mexico

A land where the cobblestone streets make a picturesque background

I am an immigrant
Who didn’t have the choice but to leave her family behind
My abuela died,
I didn’t get to say goodbye

I am lost in translation
My voice is the descendance of two worlds clashing
Making me feel like I don’t belong here nor there

I am from the countryside

I grew up playing with kids outside
Running through the almond fields, that was our playground
Always wondering what I would be
And the sights I would see

I am the daughter of a warrior

who is brave and never runs away
Who had no choice but to play two roles
My mother, whose love is so deep the ocean would be jealous
Reminds me every day of what courage and strength possess

I am the sister
Of two beautiful, vibrant women
Always there for each other,
We got one another

I am privileged and silenced

Living in a world where labels define me
Woman of color, first-generation, immigrant, a minority
But that’s not all I am

I am thoughtful and complicated

Caring and motivated
When I fall, I get up
Because I have people watching me

I am proud of who I am and who I’m becoming

I strive to be the change I envision
I am courageous