MUJER LATINA

 

Latina,

Your culture travels with you

wherever you go.

Rich skin,

expressive eyes,

warm smile,

swaying hips,

vibrant colors,

grace & dignity.

.

Latina,

Your culture travels with you

wherever you go.

Ethnic barriers

provoking harsh,

perpetual stereotypes,

sexual innuendos,

harassment,

menial jobs.

Latinas,

This myth,

this old, pervasive myth

needs be overthrown,

fear evicted,

transformation achieved,

belief in the power of self,

respect earned,

milestones attained.

Hermanas Latinas,

be brave,

make your dreams realities.

Paciencia.

Educación.

Persistencia.

                                                                                                                     © Mildred Santiago

hermanas –  sisters                  persistencia – persistence      

paciencia  -  patience                mujer  -  woman

Idioma/Language

I think of words,

phrases, sentences,

Spanish/English

English/Spanish.

Mis idiomas/my languages,

my being/mi ser.

Language,

more than words,

phrases, or sentences,

is at the very core

of my existence.

Without language,

be it oral or written,

my life would be

like a dam,

repressed

with thoughts,

emotions, wishes,

& dreams

unable to flow freely,

a prisoner

of my own self,

waiting to explode.

Language/Idioma,

more than words,

phrases, or sentences,

are my two worlds,

at times integrated,

separate when needed,

yet both infusing my life

with thoughts &  emotions.

I dream in English

of a perfect world.

I make love in español,

mi amor, querido amor.

I write in English,

words pour forth onto paper.

I cook in español...

ajo, cilantro, orégano,

herbs that have flavored

our foods for generations.

Language defines me,

language frees me,

language strengthens me.

Mis idiomas/my languages,

two languages,

two cultures,

one person.

                                                                                    © Mildred Santiago