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It is a fierce love,
that I see
when I look into her eyes.
I can feel the courage in her heart.
She speaks to me,
from a photograph.
I hear
the unselfish determination,
the driving force,
echoing
in the voices,
that tell her story.
The story of Zoraida “Ale” Reyes,
activist,
woman,
defender of the persecuted,
began with a declaration:
I am a woman.
I was not a witness to the depth of her personal struggle,
the complexity
of becoming her true self,
the simplicity
of wanting to be accepted
for
her soul’s identity,
but my heart understands her desire to be accepted
for who she was.
Acceptance,
Is a universal common need
that calls out from all human souls.
We all want to be known and loved
for our true heart.
Zoraida’s heart was the heart of many.
We see you now.
Brave and bold,
living,
not satisfied
with
just existing.
I embrace you as a sister.
Here is my heart
to tell your story.
I will not say rest in peace.
I choose to say,
rest assured,
your work
will not
be
abandoned.
We will not forget
to protect
the unprotected,
the undocumented,
forced to live in the shadows,
trying to remain invisible,
while they work their lives away.
We will not
abandon
the fight,
for equality and acceptance,
of transgender people.
The courageous,
who fled from their homelands
in search of safety,
of promised freedom,
only to find violence
and neglect,
here too.
The details of your murder
are not required
for your death to be an affront,
to the very words:
HUMAN DIGNATY.
Tonight,
I met you on a make shift altar,
at your candlelight vigil.
You stood there stoic,
while I searched for courage.
I found you, and lost you
muxerista, guerrillera,
inspiración a mi lucha,
all in the same moment.
We have lost a sister,
in the struggle to create a better existence
for
all humankind.
You are a
proven warrior,
with battle scars,
and a giving heart.
You understood
the good fight
needed to unite
all
who walk with courage.
You risked
your own
political body,
your freedom,
to fight for those,
in need
of
a strong soul
to lead with an honest
existence
and
powerful resistance.
Looking out at me
from a picture
where you
hold a
a protest sign
that reads:
“Not One More”,
you ask me
with those truthful
eyes,
“What will you do with your life to lessen the burden of hate on us all?”
I hope to answer you
one day
Zoraida,
with fierce love.
Comment
Gave me the chills! Love this line:
"Here is my heart to tell your story. I will not say rest in peace. I choose to say, rest assured, your work will not be abandoned."
Thanks for sharing!
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