History Made

From childhood a love had formed 

Between pages and ink 

Between my heart and soul and the things I cannot control

A love was born 

Where history meets body 

I know the ones who came before me 

The struggles we shared 

Survived

I think of all the lives they have helped 

From knowing they aren't alone

From knowing there's always a home 

For me, a love started with Cisneros 

Poe and Zitkala-Ša

Poems and prose have guided me today 

To love my words and put value in everything I say 

To shine a light on the issues we have 

To love myself and who I am