I raise my eyes to the sky, by Laura Alaniz

I raise my eyes to the sky

The whole world

Aches and groans

Do you feel her pain?

The human in me

Wants to heal mankind

It has more wounds

Than I have Band-Aids

(2014)

I know it’s for the best But it still hurts Hearing mothers complain For what I would give anything fo… My husband says no

Who am I? I am me When did I Become me? As I recall

How can I write how I feel When what I feel is nothing? How can I tell you what I need, What is wrong? When what is wrong

Why do we love sunsets? Distinguishing fascination What other species Must stop and stare A romantic couple

Bags full of diapers Cars waiting in line Smell coming from the load Ashamed it was mine He noticed my insulin pump

Well-intentioned stranger Eyeing me limp through HEB Why would you ask If I stepped on a nail? How do you know

Escogí las palabras Más adecuadas Por lo que yo Quería decir Abrí la boca

My body is perfect —ly spotted The white spots I tell myself Are my Bambi spots

Scratchy plaid blanket Red with yellow stripes Hot and itchy underneath Claustrophobia strikes Purple and blue prisms

Inspirational quotes Are full of crap Whatever meaning Is lost In the sea

No es solo la tristeza Aunque si lo estoy No es por el desanimo Aunque si me desanimo No es tan sencillo

Are you ever tired Of just being you? Did you ever Want to be Someone new?

I do not enjoy roller coasters I am not chicken But they say You just have to try it! So I do

The E’s squeak by The I’s are too excited The U’s come after Q But the A’s and the O’s They flow

I am stronger Than you think I am I am weaker Than I look