Poetry & Art

Lengua Materna

by Carla Marquez • March 13, 2024

You shout, your voice a tempest,
yelling, threatening, a storm
brewing over us.
Yet, we stand undaunted,
unbowed, unashamed,
our voices rising
in a chorus of defiance—
speaking, singing, cheering,
casting incantations
in the tongues of our mothers.

You wield your single language
like a weapon, believing
it makes you stronger,
superior, singular,
believing you can drown out
the symphony of our many.

Yet, we have mastered your words,
bent them to our will,
shaped her syllables,
perfected her tones,
tampered with her structure,
all while cradling our own
languages close to our hearts—
never forsaking them.

So let your cries echo in the void
When our words fill the air of restaurants,
Stores, and every public space.
Your language used as a weapon of hate,
Falls impotent against our resolve.

We refuse to switch, to fall quiet,
Our love will be declared in every language.

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by Cmarqu22

I'm a first-generation Latina embarking on a journey of self-discovery through the written word. My passion lies in weaving the rich tapestry of my culture into stories that seek to illuminate and celebrate our voices in spaces where they have historically been marginalized or deemed non-universal.

In my portfolio, you'll find a collection of my most recent works, alongside blog posts where I explore the confluence of storytelling and cultural identity. My writing oscillates between the enchanting realms of magical realism, where the fantastical brushes lightly against the mundane, and poignant narratives deeply rooted in the authentic experiences of everyday life. Each piece represents a step towards bridging gaps, fostering understanding, and creating a vibrant mosaic of representation.

Whether drawing from the well of my heritage to infuse my tales with the magic and myths that colored my upbringing, or tackling the complexities of identity and belonging, my aim is to craft stories that resonate, reflect, and respect the multifaceted lives we lead. Join me on this voyage of creative exploration, where every story is a thread in the larger tapestry of our shared human experience.