Beautiful Sister, Hermana Bonita

(Puerto Rico July 22, 2019)
Look

At our sister,

See the betrayal 

pouring from her eyes,

She suffers

Because of US.

Yet, her painted body

Screams strength.

Refusing

To internalize 

victim hood

She demands

We recognize

familial treason.

WE are guilty.

Abandoned

after the storm

We sent 

vacant promises,

talking points

Words as useless 

as a court trial 

Leaving her 

Alone

to survive

Her assault.

Mira

a nuestra hermana,

Ves la traicion 

Desbordando

de sus Ojos ...

Ella sufre 

A causa de nosotros.

Pero Aun, su cuerpo

Grita fuerza. 

Rechazando internalizar 

ser victima 

Ella demanda que

Reconozcamos la Traicion familiar.

 Nosotros somos los culpables. 

Abandonados

despues de la tormenta, 

Mandamos promesas vacantes

puntos de hablar,

palabras tan inutil 

como un juicio.

Dejandola sola a 

sobrevivir 

su assalto. . 

*translation by Nancy Baez

Photo credit:  Photographer Valaria Martiro @valariemartiro; Makeup Artist Melanie Rodriguez @melmicheller  

Inspiration:  The resistance movement in Puerto Rico today, July 22, 2019, in response to abandonment of the people by US government following Hurricane Maria that devestated the island, and ongoing corruption by the governor. Powerful marches in the street with women painted to reflect their outrage, their resistance.