#undocuwords

So much of me misses a home I never really knew; & wants to feel at home in a place I’ve always known ...forever homesick.

I’ve lived in this country for 24 years as an undocumented person, some days I wonder if I’ll die here, still undocumented.

... at least I’ll die fighting.

When I finally learned to take up space, it was liberation. You see, I had always been gordita,  taking up space, but feeling shameful about it Gordita, but always trying to skim myself down, ...like skim milk instead of being whole

So when I finally learned to take up space, it was rebellion.

I could see it in the faces of the men in the rooms affronted by my whole milk opinions Preferring skim, or half & half from ‘their’ muxeres

I took up space, with my brown skin, gordita y ruidosa. My tone muy fuerte for their ears,  accustomed only to their own voices

I was assertive and entitled & they were.. not ready for my sass, my confidence it burned them, cafe caliente on their tongues.

Enojona, they called me Because I challenged & disagreed And it fed me. Their disapproval, their fear: pan para mojar en mi café.

You’re taking up too much space a man once told me ...yes, I am, as I should Y lo queme, con mi café.

& then a muxer said to me: I started taking up space, porque I saw you do it first empowered muxer, empowering otra azúcar, para el cafe más amargo.

Muxeres taking up all the space, y hombres amargados our cafecito, caliente, with whole milk quemando el patriarcado.