These pieces are erasures of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the national black anthem. My mentor gave me prompts to erase both of them, side by side, after noticing the differences between them.
Hopeful
5 Years From Now
This is what I imagine my life to be like in 5 years. The future makes me nervous because anything can happen but I remain optimistic always.
Broken Glass/Not Yet Formed
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about being myself—and what that means for me as a young woman. I wanted to write something that reflected being free in my ability to dream and imagine any life for myself as a girl in the twenty-first century.
Pneuma
This poem is dedicated to all the girls who are forced, by circumstances, to hide their identity so they can be present for those around them. One reminder: You need to be your authentic self. Go out, find your flame, and take your place in history.
the art of self love
This poem follows a girl who, similar to any other teenage girl, has a hard time in her own skin. As she gets older she learns how to navigate being a young adult and finds herself— she overwhelms a callous world with light.
see the sun
“See the Sun” is an original song about friendship, and how the people who love you can lift you up out of the darkness.
The Secret of Cooking
My mentor and I were in Grand Central Station when it hit me that I should share my culinary journey and the reasons I enjoy cooking. I shared my idea with Caroline and she loved it. We decided to start with a script, then use Anchor to record. After countless edits, my script was ready to be recorded. I thought the recording and editing would be easy, but it wasn’t. I had to record and edit multiple times before I got the content I wanted. When I checked the box “record podcast” on my agenda, I felt accomplished and ready to take on the world.
When Life Gives You Half a Lemon
It’s gotta be that a little bit of my actions and a little bit of fate’s help just worked in my favor. And that’s what terrifies me.
Opening Up
This year, Carlene and I have made it a resolution to begin opening up. I’m passionate about these pieces because they show our struggle asking for help, and how just a little effort can go a long way.
Happiness in Compensations
The day I see this, I will have achieved my happiness.
Rising
“Uno, dos, y tres…” My father jumps off of the cliff into El Yaque del Norte, with me holding tightly onto his back.
Loving in New Ways
Sometimes the best love is the one that can exist without words.