HS Writing: ‘Crossing’ by Rossibell Cardona

ROSSIBELL CARDONA 3rd PLACE HIGH SCHOOL (TIE)

Crossing

They called it crossing,
We called it survival
Because for us it was survival
They found themselves hiding and afraid
For what awaited outside
My mom carried only tomorrow in her hands,
while my sister was strapped to her back,
My dad shouldered a vision he could never outgrow
Even though their papers said no
Denied again and again and again
Even though they walked these streets
They were seeds thrown onto concrete
Trying their hardest to grow
When their roots were still planted elsewhere
New streets, languages and home
Carrying a home on our backs
That still lived
Ice was more than a word,
It was the fear felt when a knock was heard
It was the panic in their voices
When my parents told to run
And never look back
Even if we heard voices behind us
Calling out
“Papers!” they said, even though we belonged to earth
My father looked back once more, with hope that one day he’ll
Be able to return to his future.

10th Grade, Ánimo Ralph Bunche
Guiding Teacher: Steven Rivera