MORE THAN

I am worth more

than the difference in my bank account.

I work to keep it balanced -to keep it

alive; everything, everybody needs to get fed.

What kind of Libra would I be getting off balanced?

I’ve accomplished more than what’s on that list.

All the things left unchecked, still got work to do.

Tomorrow, there is always more for tomorrow.

Keeps me hungry, working on the deficit

keeps me on the prowl for more.

Immigrant child, shuffling is in my blood.

I’m more than my expectations

more than what I have been.

More than what I can

imagine. More than what I think I know.

Who can really know evolution before it’s time?

I am more than what I should know.

On my feet thinking, thinking to stay on my feet.

Gotta figure things out- survival.

Gotta get it right- survive.

No I won't get back to you

with an answer to your question.

Do your homework!

I’ll do mine, unlearn the pressure to know.

This is Collective learning.

I could be wiser than my years

say I am. If I trusted me, my intuition,

I’d be counting my blessings

like Ultima.

The knots on my neck?

Dark circles underneath my eyes?

I’m more than those. More than the

the glowing verde of my eyes

at the sight of success in front of my face

while I leaf through

 “thanks, but no thanks,” letters.

I am more than the tears I hide

choke them back, acid down my throat.

Strong women don’t falter. 

Raise my kid, support the family, raise

those shoulders cause there’s more

weight where that came from.

Here’s boss #1 with more demands.

Boss #2 not sure how he will give me more hours

even though my rent went up. Keep it up,

keep them shoulders up and head high.

My love is deeper than our fuck last night.

We said it would be the last night

but Mama needed her back scratched

and you know just the spot.  I lost myself

in you, trying to find the love that welcomed me

the day I was born. Got in deep, deeper into me,

made me wail in pleasure but it will never be as good

as the first cry.  

I am more than your handouts.

It turns my stomach to have my hand out

knowing you can’t, won’t, don’t know how to lift me up.

You kick me first before helping me up. I deserve it

shouldn’t have raised you to be so prideful. 

I’m more than a great Mayan zero

I feel like when you treat me

like your punching bag. Upper cut, to my gut

then a hook to my pride. I’m your a scapegoat.

Feed me your scraps, unprocessed feelings.

Coat me in your anger.

Your anger gets trapped in me, and I feel it.

I understand the charge, I take control, feel

electric when I’m angry, have me looking

for a Billy of my own so I can breath easy.

I am more than the words on this page

that will soon take off, pajaritos a volar!

In search of a perch, a mate they can sing to

be heard, be experienced by. Words to be

kept in a golden locket close to the heart.

I am more. More than my past

that keeps a steady pace on me

as I runaway, refuse to live in it.

I’m coming! I’m coming! Future is calling me.