Everything is nuevo
Like a baby’s first step, I wobbled, then fell
todo es nuevo otra vez
internally sobbing uncontrollably
attempts to change my mentality is a long term goal
hoping to put an end to these rapidly abrupt lagrimas
How injudicious
20 years of imprudence
always leaving mi madre’s red knitted scarf behind during winter
mi padre’s yellow umbrella during spring showers
for summertime mi hermanas spf 50+ sunblock and joy for being anywhere but inside
En el otoño me di cuenta que quería vivir
i cried madly due to this
a million splattered teardrops
laughed hysterically at my broken image in el charco
Throw everything at me
all at once
let me do it all
estoy preparada para un desafío
do not want to miss my opportunity to live
Give me a voice to scream
una boca para sonreír
arms to hug
manos para tocar
legs to run
pies para pisar fuerte
ears to hear God’s voice
Dame ojos para verme a mi misma
It pains me to now know this late what I could have done before
many privileges taken for granted
mis queridos siempre empujados muy lejos de mi intencionalmente
never satisfied with my accomplishments
at times I feel as though it is too late
then I heard a voice
his voice convinced me
music galvanized me
a cold breeze me guio
Everything is new
Like a baby’s first step, I wobbled, then fell
everything is new again
internally sobbing uncontrollably
attempts to change my mentality is a long term goal
hoping to put an end to these rapidly abrupt tears
How injudicious
20 years of imprudence
always leaving my mother’s red knitted scarf behind during winter
my father’s yellow umbrella during spring showers
for summertime my sisters spf 50+ sunblock and joy for being anywhere but inside
In the fall i realized that I wanted to live
i cried madly due to this
a million splattered teardrops
laughed hysterically at my broken image in the puddle
Throw everything at me
all at once
let me do it all
i am up for a challenge
do not want to miss my opportunity to live
Give me a voice to scream
a mouth to smile
arms to hug
hands to touch
legs to run
feet to stomp
ears to hear God’s voice
give me eyes to see myself
It pains me to now know this late what I could have done before
many privileges taken for granted
my loved ones always pushed away
never satisfied with my accomplishments
at times I feel as though it is too late
then I heard a voice
his voice convinced me
music galvanized me
a cold breeze guided me
Hypocrite
Awake and surrounded by familiarity
heaviness that once was has now been replaced
pursuing a brighter light
fresher air
new aspirations alongside a thread of hope
Be better
improve yourself
it is all about you after all
all for you
be selfless
Nothing can be done
nothing to be done at this point
that is their situation
do not intervene
Not relevant unless it directly affects us
not considered an issue until it becomes one
Beyond our control
supernatural power is the ultimate beholder
God’s intentions not mine
not my fault
not yours
not anyone’s
We are just here because that is what is expected of us
it what we are meant to do
it is what we do best
why risk everything for something that is not there?
Not sure how I got here and you are not either
it feels right but it may be wrong
am not sure where I am going
do not know where I want to go
can tell you an idea but you will never understand
and perhaps I will not fully know either
Think realistically instead of a fantasy
pretend that you care but really do not
do what one love is
be specific and do not be broad
for if you do you will mess it all up
Keep the pebble
tossing it in the water will not make an affect but an illusion
fight back tears and be emotionless
keep in your weaknesses
build your wall strong and never get too attached
create a new image for yourself
do not be yourself
and smile regardless
False Hope
There are times when I wonder why breathing is too much to handle
painful at its worst
terrible lung capacity
at other times it is spiritually motivating
essential to be exact
Deep down below clear crisp blue waves
but it is difficult to identify and receive help when all you see is clear blue
There is a sound
attempting to reach the surface
a long way to go still
Breathe without hesitation
feel good do good
Waves have now become stronger
hanging on a thread of loose hope but then you realize
and your fingers start to slip
one by one
you have helped them
but eventually drowned yourself
dragged to the bottom at a slow pace
Predators become loose awaiting its next prey
your light seems to have vanished
Used to be able to hear the sea
now can not even hear a single raindrop
Guadalupe Reyes is a rising senior majoring in Health Care Administration at Mary Baldwin University. She enjoys being outdoors, trying new eateries, being involved in various extracurricular activities, meeting new individuals and surrounding herself with her loved ones. For her, writing is not only a way for her to express her deepest thoughts, but a gateway that builds and over time cultivates relationships. Essentially it is a freedom of expression which allows her to connect with others through their life stories.