I start off small and grow tall and large

Overlooked by nature because I can endure the harsh hits

Winter hurts me, rain and wind can break my branches

But it somehow doesn’t stop the roots from growing

My leaves change, depending on the season

Although i’m still the same old tree, except my roots are getting larger, longer

Roots that stretch far and wide

Growing, learning, enduring through the harsh hits of nature

Animals live inside my branches and leaves, looking for shelter, hiding

So when the leaves fall, they can’t hide, they run and wait for me to grow newer and better leaves 

Can I describe my life as a tree?

I think so

The leaves being my person who changes every year, every season

And the branches my emotions, that can break every so often

With the roots being my experiences and who I am

Who am I?

I am a black, bisexual, young, spiritual woman who has gone through a lot of 🤬

But, I don’t stop growing

I’m Native, Black, and Mexican. All cultures are relevant to me. I am the type of person that loves my roots but was not always this way. 

I am a woman who is community-oriented and community-made. I come from activists that do not need to be seen but rather would like our community to be heard

A niece that connects with aunts, uncles, and a remodel for their children. 

I am a daughter that is forgiving, persistent, and strong.

I’m a big sister that looks out for my younger siblings providing support, honesty, and a mother's type of love.

I’m a friend that is silly, open-minded, and shows vulnerability. 

I am intelligent but not only in an academic manner 

I’m the type of person that is able to persevere despite hardship  

My name is Julianna Martinez and as I continue to grow I will be so much more

 

Represented

Opportunity unnoticed

Power obtained

Work to be done

Ignorance is pain

        inflicted

Woman

Eyes on me

Unwanted

Make sure to have kids, two or three

Incomplete

Same job

a dollar less

Appropriate ways to dress

       deserved

                      Divergent

Excelling and failing

all at once

Hard to pretend

Hurdles unveiling

Expectations

One size fits all

        isolated

And I am thankful for that

It's not easy 

That's why I give myself a pat on the back.