Mexican American Manifesto

Am I unaccomplished?

Unstable?

No. A force, unstoppable.

A thunder,

a silent sea,

all the fervor is in me.

They say Mexican women are crazy.

And they're right,

but what is untold

is how hard we fight.

Angry yet astounding.

Resilient and resourceful.

Diligent but delicate.

Oh... and devoid of direction.

Day and night

Our bodies endure

the oppressive repression

just so one day

we can get it right.

The end of the tunnel

brings a light.

I was born

green white and red

in a land of mouths

poorly fed,

poorly educated,

suffering embed.

But now imbued:

welcome to the land of opportunity.

Blood boils red

white and blue.

You speak of all that I have not done.

Oh mother,

how I've disappointed you,

I don't care about my income.

The hardships, the traumas,

they lie in my bed.

And yes,

it took me too long

to get out of my head.

But now I see

I am truly free

and free to do as I please.

So please, stop asking so much of me.

I'm not your perfect daughter,

not your perfect student,

not your perfect partner,

but I have learned to be prudent.

My blood now boils red

white and blue.

I found my way

and I

owe nothing to you.