Relief

By Sandra Santana Peguero

Don't make me shut up, now that I can speak.

Don't silence me if you hear my voice ringing out.

May my voice not falter,

so my throat doesn't tighten up.

May my words flow like waterfalls

that crash in a single wave,

without knowing where they'll end up.

Let everyone hear them—if they’re willing to listen,

I don't care about that anymore.

Don't make me shut up, because I can't keep my mouth shut.

May my words go forth like an army

who goes to war to kill.

If I had the courage to speak up that day,

don't even think that my words

I'm going to lock them up again.

Sandra Santana Peguero was born in Hato Mayor del Rey, a province in the Dominican Republic, into a low-income family. From a young age, she showed a deep interest in reading and writing, finding her best companions in pencil and paper. She set this passion aside to devote herself to her family, but now she is determined to return to writing.

He currently lives in Charlotte, NC.