Creative Voices

By Barbara Peña | Edited by Kayla Muller

this is what i waited for and though it could be pms, i suspect it’s more than hormones making me emotional today. 

people are finally my equals, but not my exact reflection, and though they were born miles away from me, I still feel a connection. 

of course, i love where I’m from and despite there being many, (the people who like literature) no, back then, i never met any. 

i think of frida and how her talent grew through her pain and how she found her people without losing herself. 

i write and i feel the world at my hand, like the romans say, carpe diem! 

finally, mom and dad, thank your support and pride, for telling everyone how your daughter’s in rome ‘cause she’s so bright. 

you guys brought me into the world, and the world took me home to rome.