Poetry & Prose, Love & Relationships Ana Palade Poetry & Prose, Love & Relationships Ana Palade

Universal Gossip

This short poem follows Ana, the narrator, as she shares the story of a man she once knew and his hasty goodbye. Her sadness is gossiped about throughout the universe until it reaches the trees of Earth through a breeze. There they tell her that her friend joined the stars and can now hear her. This poem was mostly inspired by B.K. on Hello Poetry’s “I’ll tell the stars about you”, and is dedicated to someone close to Ana who unfortunately died recently.

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Poetry & Prose, Identity Jamie Vergara Poetry & Prose, Identity Jamie Vergara

Morena

“This poem is about a moment I shared with my lola (grandma) that changed the meaning of ‘morena’ for me. She didn’t remember this conversation when I asked her about it years later, but this specific interaction was the start of self-acceptance for me.”

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Poetry & Prose A.R.Salandy Poetry & Prose A.R.Salandy

Intersectional

“‘Intersectional’ presents a complex picture of intersectional difference and inequality that now characterizes the lives of many individuals in the twenty-first century. This poem seeks to question why social differences are constantly labeled but never truly addressed beyond piecemeal campaigns and often lacking legislation and widespread representation.”

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Poetry & Prose A.R.Salandy Poetry & Prose A.R.Salandy

Commercial Idolatry

“‘Commercial Idolatry’ presents a world that always appeared rather dystopian to me whilst growing up. Despite being half-Kuwaiti, I did not experience many of the societal norms that permeated the ultra-rich lifestyle of many I knew. From an early age, I knew that my middle-class roots left me at a disadvantage in terms of social and cultural capital that transcended any intellect or meritocratic ability.”

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Poetry & Prose, Identity Lousheen Dalmao Poetry & Prose, Identity Lousheen Dalmao

The Guilt After

“Growing up in a conservative country that is Philippines, there are certain challenges that come with being a Catholic Filipina. No matter how much I yearn to read poems and articles that cover sensitive or “taboo” topics, I can never seem to find any that leave an impact.”

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Poetry & Prose, Identity Michelle Nguyen Poetry & Prose, Identity Michelle Nguyen

Knock Knock

“Imposter’s syndrome is something I’ve battled a lot through my life. There’s this existential fear that weighs on you every day, that everyone will experience this a-ha moment and realize that you’re not as great as they think you are. You watch other people at your job doing the work and you think to yourself that it’s only a matter of time before they discover your secret and kick you out to the street.”

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Identity, Poetry & Prose BB Maria Klara Identity, Poetry & Prose BB Maria Klara

Say My Name

“A massive part of misogyny has always relied on identifying women only through reference to another person, most likely a man. It really can come to a point that this practice makes it highly probable for the individual name to be forgotten. The poem makes mention of male characters in Jose Rizal’s Noli me Tangere: all who play significant roles in the story, or rather, lack of story, to the female lead, Maria Clara.”

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Poetry & Prose Michelle Nguyen Poetry & Prose Michelle Nguyen

Sunshine Fire

“Like a lot of other womxn, I’ve always felt the need to apologize for things I shouldn’t be sorry for, or to be smaller so someone else can have their space. I’d quietly succeed in subjects while someone else took the credit.”

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Identity, Poetry & Prose Michelle Nguyen Identity, Poetry & Prose Michelle Nguyen

Mango Melon

“My parents moved to Canada as teenagers fleeing the Vietnam war in the 70s for a better life without a single dollar in hand. I grew up in a predominantly white suburban town in Ontario, which shaped a lot of my complex relationship about being Asian.”

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Identity, Poetry & Prose Janessa Cockburn Identity, Poetry & Prose Janessa Cockburn

Freedom in Growth

“The inspiration of this poem came from the idea that in order for the butterfly to emerge; it must first go through cycles of growth; before it can spread its wings and roam free. The cocoon represents the confinement one can feel when trying to break free. A slight hold yet it is as light as silk, much like the makings of a cocoon.”

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Love & Relationships, Poetry & Prose Angelica Marie Love & Relationships, Poetry & Prose Angelica Marie

All I Can Say

“Things happen for a reason, no matter how big or small that thing may be. We may never know why they happen, but oftentimes all we can really say is thank you. I guess this is my reminder for you to always appreciate life, and understand how life takes us on this rollercoaster of ups and downs to pave the path of where we need to go.”

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“The things that go unsaid are often the things that eat at you.” — Celeste Ng