Photo by Sebastian Seck

DREAMing Out Loud: Voices of Migrant Writers, is a PEN America workshop series for young undocumented and migrant writers. This week we excerpt an anthology of their work.

Did you watch me grow?
No, I was not paying attention;
there were more important matters at hand.
Then you missed the beginning of
such an important show—
the show of growth.

I was dark purple and blue,
roots and leaves
withered and bruised.
I was tiny, only one or two shoots,
too sick to think I’d make it through.

But then she picked me up
And right there and then, I showed her, I wouldn’t be of much use.
Both of us seemed to be feeling kind of blue.
She stuck me into the earth;
each morning, she visited my roots
with water,
my food.

Speaking into existence
we’ll both make it through.
My leaves got thicker,
plump with gel.
And her smile got wider,
the perfect outlet for her laughter.

Oh, I just knew
that I was watching a fascinating show—
a new show,
the show of growth.
Dedicated to beings like me and you.

(c) Nakeisha Cantzlaar, 2021. Reprinted from DREAMing Out Loud: Voices of Migrant Writers.

Nakeisha Cantzlaar
Nakeisha Cantzlaar was born in Guyana. She is a student at the Borough of Manhattan Community College and has been published in the newest volume of DREAMing Out Loud, an anthology by PEN America. Nakeisha is a college kid sharing experiences and lessons learned in life so far. Her interests include the arts, agriculture, and the environment. When Nakeisha is not writing, she is gardening, watching anime, or sleeping.