The Answer

By Dhayana Alejandrina

What is poetry to you? 

They asked. 

And a million answers ran through my mind.

I felt chills in my spine, and memories I

thought dead woke up in the attic of my

mind. 

Poetry has a soft spot in my heart: a

teacher, a healer, a reflection, a path. A

never-ending journey, 

an addiction I cannot deny. 

Poetry is not a place, 

but a sanctuary within. 

A historical pathway 

to all that was before me, 

to all I am now and who I will be. 

Poetry is the magic 

that will always outlive me. 

Poetry is a calling that pulls me in,

and sometimes I fight back. 

But I always end up surrendering,

you will see the white flag. 

Poetry has seen me naked, 

but never hurt me like others have.

It helped me find my rhythm, 

trust the words screaming inside.

Poetry taught me my power. 

It unravelled my tongue, 

made my accent sharper; 

like a forged sword, 

ready for battle. 

Poetry is my go-to, 

my partner in crime. 

I could go through hell, 

and poetry will have my back. 

It will hold my hand without me asking,

make love to my mind. 

Save me from my darkest hour, 

my antidote to suicide. 

Poetry is the fire in my throat: 

The way my ancestors said, ‘Fuck you’

to those who wanted to chain their voice. 

Poetry is resistance; 

a voice for those who could not speak,

the voice of those who refuse to stay quiet.