I wrote this poem in February of 2024.

overwhelmed by the sights and sounds at jorge chavez airport
fast castellano coming from everyone
with cumbia in the background
machu picchu advertisements everywhere
my mind is trying to process everything in real time
Iβm here, Iβm here, Iβm here
the land of inca cola, ceviche and my ancestors
land that I havenβt seen since the age of 9
and didnβt fully appreciate it
happy and completely elated
euphoria and goosebumps felt from my bones
to my skin
I never thought Iβd see it again
poverty kept me away but Iβm here, Iβm here, Iβm here
my beloved PerΓΊ
the land I left without consent
the land I was taught to menospreciar
Iβm here, Iβm here, Iβm here
and I canβt wait to get reacquainted with you
mi tierra-once again














