Wepa

"Thank God for my Mama. She taught me, she showed me, HOME isn’t a place, it’s a feeling."

I grew up never belonging.

A little brown girl with a yankee mouth.

A knickerbocker to Tainos.

A sweetheart in an urban jungle.

A child raised by children.

Generational pain hides me behind my family.

Raised by a village of broken spirits.

The little girl watches and cries.

Feeling the pain of her loved ones

Questioning ; but why ? ; but how ?

I lived my life never belonging.

Ripped from my city.

Teased and picked on.

Tears in my eyes.

Gum in my hair.

My voice is my armor.

The pain turns me to havoc.

Thank God for my father.

He taught me the example of a good man.

I push those coming towards me.

I’m not ready for attention.

Thank God for my mother.

She taught me I am just as strong as a man.

I run but my troubles are faster.

I run and search for shelter.

While I quest I care for my siblings.

Do I protect those weaker or do they protect me?

How do I find the strength when I am so broken?

Here I pray…

Show me the way.

Where is home?

Everyone has one but me …

Please God let me see.

All that is inside of me.

Wepa. Wepa. Wepa!

Thank God for my grandmother,

Thank God for my Mama.

She taught me, she showed me,

HOME isn’t a place, it’s a feeling.

Wepa, encontré mi corazón !

The surface does not lie.

The sun shows my true colors.

The fog clears and I can see.

My brown skin glows golden.

The rhythm in my heart is loud.

Yo soy boriqua pa’ que tu lo sepas !

Peace & Love,

Nik