In the shadows of city lights, we dwelled,
untold stories, almas olvidadas,
enduring streets where dreams were bought and sold.
Corazones—like broken glass,
reflecting pain, the sting of scorn,
searching for love en la oscuridad.
Walking the piers—our runway, steps unsure,
inocencia pérdida seeking solace, grace,
amidst the chaos, makeshift homes.
Voices silenced, cries ignored,
por un mundo that turned a blind eye,
yet we found familia in our souls.
Remember these legends,
children marked by endless strife,
love soaring entre el odio.
In this lucha, there was truth,
in this love, there was vida,
in this survival, there was hope.
Copyright © 2024 by Emanuel Xavier. Originally published in Poem-a-Day on December 5, 2024, by the Academy of American Poets.