Sisters

Today, like most days, my sister has confiscated our bedroom mirror. It’s Friday night and she stands primping and pouting at her reflection, getting ready for another party at another friends house. Our microscopic bathroom is suffocated in a cloud of hairspray and perfume. She’s spent so much time looking at herself she should have her face memorized by now, and as much as I hate to admit it, hers is not a hard face to look at. Her skin is buttery smooth and golden brown like a tan. Black slanted eyes sit perfectly above her small nose and pink cupids bow lips. My sister is perfect and she knows it. The personality could still use some work though. Keycoka picks up her brush and starts smoothing her glossy black hair. Her hair is her pride and she’d rather lose her right hand then take off one inch. She catches me staring in the mirror and her eyes flash with contempt. “What do you think you’re looking at?” she screeches in one of those remixed voices you hear in the movies when someone is possessed by the devil. She’s suddenly holding her brush like a weapon and I decide to swallow my witty come back and retreat back to our room. The inevitable beating wouldn’t be worth it.

What is my REAL name?

My real name is Aries

Don’t be fooled by the soft exterior perceived as a sensitive Piceses,
Look inside and you can see the inferno
Fiery as a spring Equinox
Innocence isn’t the word to describe
The feeling of confusion I feel inside.

In my dreams my name was Taurus

Deliberate about my own life,
But too lazy to take action
The promiscuous girl who doesn’t care
Thin stiletto heels and long brown hair.

Secretly I know my name is Leo

I’ve centered myself
Self-centered
Gold and fiery shades of fur soar
The mighty lion always comes out and roar

My mother and father think I’m two different people

Gemini is what they think my name is
Twins at heart but only one at bay
It could be Siamese, but only one can win
Am I really me or is it my twin

Maybe One Day

I am unique and delightful
I wonder how I look from other people’s perspective
I hear the crackling sound of dry ice melting underneath my feet
I see the naked truth as if it were human
I want to go back to the past so I can have a profound future
I am unique and delightful

I pretend to be the only person in this world
I feel alone at times, but reality snaps and I’m a civilian again
I touch my reflection as if she’s someone else
I worry that she is happier than I am
I imagine her in a better life
I cry because I realize she is me and I live that life
I am unique and delightful

I understand I have left the only person I knew on the other side
I say his life will get better just as mine has
I dream that one day he will find someone who will bring out the good in him
I try to help, but help isn’t enough
I HOPE some day we could be friends again and everything would be back to normal
I am unique and delightful

Earth's Sin

Earth is full of delight
One puff and your in flight
Life's natural high
Isn't enough for you
To touch the sky
You fill up with the deadly Earth's sin
Breathe out and never breathe in
For the moment it heals
It's up to you to proceed and appeal
Hold your breath until you turn teal
As blue as the sky
As high as you will fly
A damaged soul is what you replenish
Please stop once you finish
Only I'm the one who understands
Why you choose not to live on everyday lands
Do YOU know what IT is?
It's all one gigantic shove
Maybe even something we call love

Risks of Love

It could happen to others
Such were the risks of love
I love every waking moment with him
I also love the non-waking

In love with the way you flex and cock your hands
When I hold yours you won’t slip away

His eyes are endless in a deep pool of beauty
Thirsty for the love
I turn
I see you
Even in the faces
I can only gaze into those orangey eyes for so long
If only you would turn and see me
Seeing you

Love is eternal as long as it lasts
The space between what is possible
And what is lost
I want to assure you that there will be enough
I wonder how he got me to fall in love with him

Motherless Child

We were all young at times
When we use to run to the ice cream truck with quarters and dimes
Asking the driver “is this enough”
And he would say that will do just fine

I remember like it was yesterday
When we didn’t have to initiate we were there by saying “hey”
I would just grab a ball and jump in
And see which of the better teams would win

There was on e family down the street
Their house and no A/C no heat
There were older brothers and sisters, but no mom or dad
Every time I walked into their house, it made me sad

The inside of their house was devastating
The Chihuahua looked like it was at 9 weeks gestating
She lay there at her resting place
Such peaceful eyes and a cold face

They hid their pain so well
But everyone on Walter Street could tell
The smell of mildew was so strong
How could a mother do her seeds so wrong?

Young Chris and Miguel would ask us to play outside
This time the pain was what they couldn’t hide
Their mother had left them with no food
So heartless, mischievous, and cruel
My grandmother provided them with everything they need
They ate it so fast out of hunger and greed.

One day they just disappeared
We all hoped they would reappear, but they didn’t
They vanished into thin air
No one could ever compare

My name is...

My mind will reflect the journey, Born named “free spirit.”
Swayed like a breeze,
Down-to-earth attitude,
Carefree, of all worries.
Until the day of introduction,
Went upon it, without thought of the future.

Yesterday I was introduced as “Fearful.”
Timid of his rage,
Dare not to criticize his judgment.
Analyze my choice of words carefully,
Bottle up his angry words,
Brush off his hatred looks.

I once was “Hesitant.”
Walking with my head chin to chest,
Worried, that I’m fading into the darkness of my anguish.
Simmering soul awaiting for acknowledgement,
Damaged spirit, floating out of reach.
Grasping tightly,
I refuse to let go.
Holding on with all my might,
I feel my soul revive.




Today my name is “Bravery”
Awakening from a wicked dream.
Amused by his arrogance,
Now, Fearless of his presence.
Having the sensation to walk tall,
Released my captive emotions.

Today I roar the thoughts on my mind from impulse,
The wings to my spirit once again revealed.
Words spoken with confidence,
His enrage actions, are now invisible.
My frown now replaced with a smirk,

He thinks my name is “Insecure”
Someone who lingers on his every word.
But now I strive to be indifferent.
Rejoicing in my internal victory,
Of overcoming being a victim of his “Love.”

Tomorrow my name will be “Strong”
Withholding the urge to turn back,
Following a new path,
Flaunting my renewed soul.
Unbreakable,
Won’t bend or be broken.
Having the strength to announce, “I’m moving on”
Having the ability to control my own actions.
If we ever cross paths,

But my eyes will reveal the split road.
Where I will choose the way to a happier life.
By shanika Ray

Five Pictures

First day of school after I moved from Dallas to Austin. Walking with my head down, when I finally have the strength to pick up my head for a moment everything changed. I saw him standing there strong with brown eyes. Couldn’t focused so many details the wavy dark brown hair. Super confident not scared of rejections. After a while standing like a statue I hurried to go to class when he stop me and ask if I was new to school knowing that I was going to answer to anything he asked stand there strong on the cloudy rainy that made my day worst couldn’t wait for that Friday to be over.

Friends for a year I knew him more then anybody in the whole school. But the last thing that I didn’t know that this person that I had talked to was actually related to me. Feel even happier that I was related to him knowing that I had one of the biggest secrets to tell him not knowing how he would react. I told him that I had a confection to make and I saw him standing in the front of me so confuse on the sunny day after a big walk almost getting home. He demanded for me to tell him. I stood up and told him “I’m gay.” He looked very confused . couldn’t even talked he was in shock. After 15 minutes confuse answer with many question with the how, when, why??? If I had a girlfriend how was this possible looked and stared and walked away discussed as I though.

Nervous, to be lonely in high school. First day two big yellow doors were standing upon me was so scared that I wouldn’t have anybody in life to be with and share my memories because in middle school I invested all my time with him. Took deep breath and open the door, that moment God hurt me and there he was again. So embarrassed I try to walk away from him. He run after me and ask me why was I trying to avoid him. I looked down and told him not to talked to me. He struggled for many minutes to get the words of his mouth when he finally told me that he was discussed by people my way, but that he was willing to do what it takes because gay or not we were going to be family no matter was so we rather make the best of it. I knew he mean what he said, but still he looked so confuse. I knew that question on his mind after all that was weather he was going to hug me and just walked away?

Super gray clouds whiled I walk towards school anxious to get to school and leave the very violet streets that I walking throw. Just three minutes away from school knowing that I had made it without being embarrassed because I was gay. Just as I claimed victory there I saw coming a truck with guys. All started screaming many hurting words. I arrived to school with my eyes cover in tears he saw me crying while he was very mad. I didn’t know what else to do when he finally crap me by the hand and took me with him. We found the guys and he had a hold of one of the guys then the anger became punches.

After the long weekend I had he called me. Friday night did not wanted to talked to him specially after the words he said that hurt so much. The strong words that he told me hurt so much because that was the first time that he had ever told me something like that and we had so much trust on me. He called me so many times, but I wouldn’t answer because I had my feelings hurt so much. I finally gave in and answered the phone. I scream with so much anger and demanded to tell me the reason he is calling me for. He was quiet and didn’t know what to tell me after some long 3 minutes. Then he cried to me telling me that he didn’t wanted anything to go that far all he really wanted to say was that he wasn’t ready for me to go all the way with the feminine thing. He told me that he loved me the way I was and if he had a chance to change it he wouldn’t no matter what.

If I Was a poem

If I was a poem
I would spin in circles with confusion
I would not know how tell her
I would be like a baby trying to say
The truth but I’m being forced to keep silence
If I was a poem
I would pace back and forward with frustration
Trying to revel the correct words
to my secrets
Words that will tell you
Clearly to make you understand
Knowing that those words
Weren’t just written and thrown away
Like the perfect broken toy
If I was a poem
I wouldn’t ruin our friendship by
Using the perfect words

Boys Are Cheaters

Boys are cheaters I’d rather date a dog
Maybe I will find my prince if I kiss a frog.
If only you were a fly
It would be easy to smash you and then then you die.
I love you, I love you
From you that is all I hear.
It’s over, it’s over
That is what I used to fear.
I’ve seen you around, boy you are such a flirt.
How could you? Don’t you think I’m hurt?
Lying is what you do best
Im dumber than a donkey thinking you weren’t like the rest.
Tears, tears
So many times I just wanted to scream and shout.
Boys are cheaters id rather date a dog.

Another Love Poem

I awake each day with a smile
Each time I see something beautiful
I could dream, I suppose
The lights that spatter heaven above
Do melt as love hath melt my heart
Slowly I was falling
Half broken-hearted
You wipe the tears from my face
When did enduring love begin?
I beg of you, never set me free
Wonderful moments shared,
And shared in its shame
I will never forget
I used to dream of a lot of things
So I’ll tell it on the mountaintops
For the love that is purest and sweetest
Is less than what I feel for you
My love is like a song
And when all the lyrics are over
And all the words been said
Dance with me forever

Remember You
By: Gloriana Espinosa

Tears drop
Upon my pillow whithout
You there to catch them.

At night my mind gose on and on
Thinking
Why arent you here?
Then
I look at your pictures
And see memories in my mind.



And
My heart crys
On and on
Again.
Because every moment I remember with youMakes me miss you even more

My Neighborhood

Galewood was the hood where it was sometimes good
From ’96 to ’06 is where I always stood
The spot where my people make a living with their tools
Or from the back of their truck selling home cooked food

I was rarely all alone, always chillin with my boys
Doing all kinds of fast things cuz we didn’t have no toys.
We would get our fill of food and take off to the pool
And screw around there til it got cold in after noon.

Then we would bust out balls, like the ones used in soccer
And basketball and football or use them gloves like some boxers.
Always kept on playing rising when we would fall
The day we got our BB guns, man it was on.

We had a blast behind tall grass busting at glass, that was fun
And if the red and blue lights turned on, hit the allyway and run.
Never had a ride to roll in so peoeple seen us sliding on our bikes
Go do something that people don’t approve so we’d go to the hood and hide.

But that didn’t happen when there was trouble up at school
It would often follow us where business would get handled
And it was good thing it didn’t escalate to us grabbing a tool
Or my homeboys getting caught up and ending up mangled.

The day I moved out man how I felt pity
I didn’t want to start again in a different vicinity.
But it was time to grow up cuz it’s a different day and time
And look at what can happen when I take a pen and write.

Adam
By: Gloriana Espinosa


Brown hair,
Brown eyes’
Red shirt,
Black tie.

These colors aren’t a match,
But on you,
They are a match for me.

Ode to A Laptop

…. A laptop dedicated to write and explore the internet. Laptop you help me finish my final essay writing in a white, blank paper. Laptop I kneel before your shiny letters that help me spell and write lots of paragraphs thank you for making my life easier and faster. From you I learned that spelling is better this way and grammar too. I thank you for your corrections without you I wouldn’t know how to check my essay. Oh!! Laptop you make paper and pencil more advance in everything.

My Dear Angel

Not only are you my friend, family, and my sister but you are also my angel.
There are so many memories and moments that
I still remember.
To some people we are now three.
But to me we are still four.
Wishing you were here more.
Days in pain not only coming from my heart but also my veins.
Not able to see you in the hospital made me sober even more
And it was all of me that tore.
The next time I had seen you was at your funeral,
When you were swollen and cold
This is not a goodbye was you that I told.
Looking around seeing people with tears in their eyes
That was a picture I had memorized.
Of course no one has forgotten about you
They bring you up in a conversation or two.
You don’t know how much everyone misses you
How much pain we are still going through.
We still celebrate your birthday until this day
At night when I think of you
I kneel down and pray.
July 14, 2006
Was the day you went away
But to me in my heart forever you will stay
My Dear Angel

Ode To Herbalife

Ode to Herbalife
In worries you have brought me happiness
Your ingredients have helped lose some weight
In the hardest times
When I was bullied for the extra pounds I had
You came right in handy
You helped me cleanse my body
When there was nothing but grease
The mango tea that helped me hydrate
And the strawberry shake helped me get nutrients
After 2 weeks it has all paid off
The extra pounds are gone and so is some grease
Bye 10 pounds and hello healthy body
And hello to all the cute guys
Oh herbalife how would I look without you

My Friend, My Tree House

Climbing up high to the mountain top
Feeling the night’s icy chills fly down my back
Glancing up to breath taking views
An over whelming sensation of relaxation of the air
Reborn to a new you
Time of no fear but a life full of joy
Seeing the nights sky
Connecting dots along the stars
Having adventures through all times
Making up or sharing stories amongst the living
When the time comes to climb down
The tears flow down
As the climb is a slow one that you’re wishing never comes
For the tree house is the sheltering home
One I wish to stay in all day.
For it gives me a coat of warmth
Which gives me life beyond the living
Time always seems to stop when I’m in its grasping arms
So strong to never let me fall
So comforting when streams fly down
How it’s always there when time of need
Just my friend through all the years
One I could talk to with no worries of judgment
In return
I listened to all the words it spoken
The wind brushing through each leaf
The pulse through each vein
As each day passed a bond forever kept
A friend forever founded
Just the tree and me
Taking turns telling stories
Not just as a child
But for the lifetime that remains a head

Untitled

I hold him close
Because I am his shield
He is my blanket
That keeps me warm-
Hearted.
He sees too much
And doesn’t understand
Why mommy is sad.
He knows something isn’t right
But can’t comprehend.
It hurts to know
In years to come
He’ll realized the truth
And the scenes will replay
In his young head.
Over and over.
Praying he doesn’t blame himself
For the mistakes of a cold hearted soul.
He will discover the real
Definition of HATE
And I’m not proud
That he was introduced to
A feeling so harsh.
I’m sickened to say,
I don’t blame him
Because no one deserves this.
I beg the all mighty
He takes after me.
And never lays a hand on a female.
He will be better that that.
And I will strive to make that
A fact.
He’s revealed to a hard knock life
But I’ll always ensure him
We’re worth more.
He’s going to evolve into a
Real man who works for what
They want.
Not fight for what he wants.
I try to hind the emotions inside,
So he sees my stronger side.
And comes to me,
In his greatest moment of need.
He’s going to be everything
His father isn’t.
And that’s the best gift
I can ever receive.


By; Shanika Ray

Here Comes GoodBye

I hate to say good bye
When you know
You’d die for somebody
And they’d die for you
The nearest necessity
You know nothing about,
Finds you

All is for you
Not the one who forget
I remember we were divided
When we were together
So I brought healing to my heart
And rest to my eyes
But I remember your face everywhere

I can feel your shadow
Holding me tight
I cannot say my faith is strong
Oh friend
I hate to say good bye

Don't go away

You were there to love and care for me
With opened arms
And i never came to you
You have been there ever since i took my first breath on earth
and i wilil be there when you take your last.
I see that you are fading away as each day goes by
so today i ask please don't go away
We all want you to stay
your kids
your grandkids
all your loved ones saying
don't go away

Friend ship

What is a friend?
A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg
Even though he knows you are slightly cracked
Friendship is the only cement that will hold the world together
No person is your friend who demands your silence or
Denies your right to grow
A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they're not so good
Friendship isn't a big thing
It’s a million little things
A friend loves at all time
That’s why your friends
Friends are friends forever together 'till the end


Maximo Oxlaj