The lock on my mouth tightens
My ears turn red
Like the tied knots in my stomach
All the dripping sweat…
The hard work goes to waste
Fear stares me in the face
How I dread that bitter taste
All I hear is that **** beating
Questions and Questions
Mexican? American? Hispanic? Chicano? Latino?
I say neither
The lock on my mouth tightens
Insecurities and bruises underneath my skin
You’re not good enough or smart enough
Stop trying, there’s no such thing as luck
So buckle up
This road I take isn’t easy
I see yellow, brown, and black
But I don’t forget the clouds above are White
It’s time for change I say
Course after course
Finding pieces to my key
My consciousness now aware
I’m brilliant
Now I begin to believe and see
The lock on my mouth opens
I can finally hear my voice breathe
I say “It’s interesting you feel that way”
Now it’s my turn to speak.