I wrote this poem in October of 2022.

you left your lighter at the bar along with your story of grief and trauma
itβs the last time your body had life-
itβs the last time you told bad jokes and laughed
I wrote this poem in October of 2025.

as the leaves turn crisp, I find myself reminiscent of the many women Iβve been
excited for the version of me thatβs to come
understanding I was always right
to continue on and trust the process
understanding this heroineβs journey of mine
was indeed worth it
I wrote this poem in October of 2025.

the happiest week of my life happened a year ago
when I broke my two year celibacy vow and landed
in my situationshipβs bed and felt stupidly hopeful
we could have a new beginning where a toxic love story
could be redeemed
where I saw my favorite singer performed all the songs
that had been the soundtrack to my healing
that week everything seemed possible and that love
could rise from the ashes of past crashed
and setting into something full of promise
and potential for fairytale ending
I wrote this poem in September of 2022.

my heart sings a bilingual song in imperfect castellano
and a fluent English
entre carcajadas y calor de mi comunidad de Athens
between my few childhood memories of Lima
entre las risas de mis hijos
between my parents many sacrifices
entre Wham y Slyvia Plath
between Bad Bunny and Gustavo Becquer
llevo AmΓ©rica en mi corazΓ³n
I carry Peru in my veins
canto esta cancion con amor y dolor
I sing this song with love and pain
I wrote this poem in September of 2022.

I found love and it wasnβt at a bar or an app
I found it on the soil I was born on,
I found it in the embrace of my homeland
I found it in welcome from everyone
I met and reconnected with
I found it in the accent I never had
I found love as the prodigal daughter of my country
I hadnβt seen in 32 years
I wrote this poem in September of 2025.

Lukewarm response as I suggest coming to see you
and my gut tells me something is amiss
telling me you miss me
but dodge an opportunity to see me
Canβt say why or make plans to see me
and I change my relationship status to single
confused, frustrated
not understanding how I got here
almost begging another man for crumbs
of affection for the bare minimum
I wrote this poem in September of 2021.

I long to run free in a world free from prejudice and pride
I long to run free in a world free from judgment and ignorance
I long to run free in a world that accepts people like me
I long to run free in a world where Iβm not hypervigilant
about toning myself down
I wrote this poem in August of 2025.

Back to black blast from my car radio as I drive aimlessly in the rain
I have a boyfriend but I still feel alone
It turns out that being in a relationship isnβt the cure for my loneliness after all
Some people will say itβs the long distance, others will say itβs how I still keep my guard up
I think itβs a mixture of both and how I have a tendency to fuck up in love
I wrote this poem in August of 2025.

I need to head back to the gym before my algorithm notices
and starts sending me ads about BBLs and Ozempic
I need to head back to the gym and make it part of my weekly routine
instead of constantly standing still
I need to head back to the gym, I need those endorphins now more
than ever as another financial crises looms over me
and I donβt know how to get under it
give me 45 minutes at the gym to clear my head
strategize about my next to make sure my family
doesnβt fall into poverty