i wasn't born a poet

i wasn't born a poet.

i was born

mi papi's niña,

la hija de mi mama,

el bebe que mi abuelita

had told Dios to be 

sent and born

within the U.S.

to form a life

there.

i wasn't born a poet.

i was born

an only child,

with a few

"specialities,"

with many cousins,

who mi mami

would always say

tu abuelita, Nena,

te quiere más a ti

y ellos te

envidian.

i wasn't born a poet.

i was born

with a passion

for singing

and acting,

and maybe

if mis padres

would've supported

instead of shaming,

that memory

could've been.

i wasn't born a poet.

i was born

to be the 

friend

everyone

would rely on,

the one who's called

"mature"

"torta"

"girl"

with all of the

love and

acknowledge.

i wasn't born a poet.

i was born

with the ability

to grip, and

with that grip,

i grabbed a

pencil

and started to

escape my reality

and be the writer of

my own.

i wasn't born a poet,

but i sure wish

to become one.