by Kimberly Romero

My mama just like the beautiful beach
Was far from reach
A workaholic, fulfilled all my needs
I was raised by my sisters
Cumbias, reggaetoneros
My first loves, que encantan del ghetto
This woman makes our house a home
I was usually left alone
I was raised by the name of a flower
Iris Gladys, her name brings me laughter
A little girl who never lived a childhood
Gave me happily ever after
I was raised by women
On Saticoy Street
Who held it down all for me
My favorite human, who completes me
The sun to my moon is who raised me

This piece was published in our 2025 anthology, Home and Away, by Out of the Woods Press.