Quarantine Growing Pains

Inspired by a Prompt from Lenguas Locxs Writing  Collective

 

In my old life I was,

A law abiding citizen.

Pushed to marry a love of my life

On government terms.

In my new life I am,

A belittled defendant

Judged for accurate actions.

Illegible for financial assistance

In response to following marital protocol

With an undocumented partner.

 

In my old life I was,

A bill paying, hard-working employee

On the constant grind for proficiency.

In my new life I am,

An unemployed, rent be late,

Payment notices busting out the mailbox.

Struggling to keep a daily schedule,

Unproductive couch potato.

 

In my old life I was,

A paint for pleasure,

Write por que de da las ganas creative.

Often inspired by mi gente, for mi gente.

In my new life I am,

A paint for profit sell-out,

Write to process my anxiety, heap of a mess.

Selling art and pages to mi gente,

Cause it’s my only way.

 

In my old life I was,

An overthinking about the career switch,

Green to the field counselor,

Shamed with imposter syndrome.

In my new life I am,

A better skilled in anxiety reduction,

Giving helpful talks on community platforms,

Self-improved mental health worker.

 

In my old life I was,

The continuous giver.

Of love, financial support, and efforts of service,

To any person wanting or needing assistance.

In my new life I am,

The humbled receiver.

Work in progress on all fronts,

In asking for help when I need it.

Allowing others to help me without restrictions.

 

Sueitko Zamorano-Chavez

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