In the tapestry of my being,

threads of identity, rich and freeing,

I am Grace and I am funny and kind

she has seen the beauty, the pain, the livingness

y en tus “shining moments” brillas tan fuerte como el sol

so let the cameras roll and let my story unfold

because my story will not be left untold.

I’m Ezra and I am playful and smart

the immense weight of my backpack

but it’s too late to retract

first-generation, a trailblazer's mark,

in pursuit of knowledge, I embark

I am Davian and I am good at soccer and I am good at art

a Latino son of humble birth,

young man thinking, “What was my Dream?”

a dream, a hope

a dream only results with wishes

My name is Roxanne and I am brave and strong

only if this little Native girl knew

she has been through worlds amount of endeavors

eres feroz como un lobo

y eres agridulce como un limón

people come and go

so, I don’t believe that

I am worthy enough for love

I live my life now knowing I’m all I’ve got

no one but her, just her and her broken self

I preen and I cry and I make myself small

I break myself until I’m nothing at all

how do you grow taller if all you see is your lack of stature?

only if this little Native girl knew

Time skips

the cords of death entangled me

oblivion between breaths

safety and suffocation

how long will I be here, alone in the dark?

a whirlwind of constant commotion

the world hates me

the cords of death entangled me

watermelons and trans flags on my feed

because I’m a disgrace

these thoughts are getting too harsh

bombs and hormone bans

my distress swallowing me whole

I will never believe that this world loves me

these thoughts are getting too harsh

curdled sticky guilt and bone-deep hurt

the world hates me

I’m a disgrace

how long will it be ‘til I’m lit by a spark?

Eventually the encased, surrounding feeling left

and then there was just small me

overwhelmed, ever-aware

living a history I can only hear far from where I started

I just want to be someone

my god, I don’t fit in right here or anywhere maybe but

I’ll try again anyways

I can’t be afraid anymore

I’ll try I’ll try

three steps forward one step back

In the tapestry of my existence,

I find strength, and persistence,

a girl that comes from a broken home, broken place

now, she is thriving

now she is tough

now she is brilliant

now she is adventurous

now she is Hózhǫ́

I am Samaya, kind and caring

in this world, I proudly stand,

a testament to my native land.

undocumented, yet unafraid

undocumented, I set the stage

doubts fade, fears descend

my identity was found in the unknown

despite the ache

for in acceptance, I truly see,

the beauty of being authentically me.

I am Davian and I am good at soccer and I am good at art.

sé tú, porque no existe nadie más tan auténtico

como la versión que eres y serás

I am Franz and I am silly and kind to animals

I am Esther and I am kind and I like to make new friends

O to be loved

I am worthy enough for love

I hope

quiérete, ámate, todo a su tiempo

I hold her hand and feel whole.

I hold his hand and feel whole.

I hold their hand and feel whole.

qué lindo es vivir y ser visto

qué lindo sentir tan profundo y ser amado

even for the little moments of being known

I know

I would do it all again

In the morning shine,

beneath the alpenglow

the trees do grow.

moonlight cool and mellow

what was once a hole that spanned the seasons

now holds the warmth of

friendship and things once lost

woken by a chorus of love

a late-night dinner with friends,

a warm healer hug,

es mi familia, representada con alegría,

y llenas de felicidad: siempre unidas cada día

I craft my place within your vast expanse.

I am Isabella, kind and fun

she knew her people are behind her

she has made history in every stage of her life

so many experiences, so many dreams

I wish for the freedom of birds

I wish so deeply for my community

that we may be safe & aware & rested

I wish to be the flame of fire

but more than anything

I just wish for more community

with you, though I traverse blindly, I am never alone

an invisible string in its magic a truth, a reality

more of this grand group project

for the better world

simply waiting for us to make it.