EAST SIDE PRESENTE

EAST SIDE PRESENTE

By Mayra Flores

I am the struggle

The heartache

The headache

I am the success

The joy

The celebration

I am the color

So dark

So deep

Provocatively showing up

Showing out

Standing proud

I am the sacrifice

Of so many immigrants

Of mothers

Of fathers

Of abuelitas and niños

I am the fruit

Of their labor

Their laughter

Their tears

I am everything

That makes you love us

Fear us

Envy and deny us

I am

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