Hilary Cruz

Hilary Cruz Mejia (she/her/ella) is a Latinx poet and activist from the coastal waters of Guatemala. Her work has appeared in MiGoZine (an imprint of Paloma Press), Portside Magazine, and in the Lesbians Are Miracles Magazine. Hilary’s transition to the U.S. as a lesbian, immigrant, and first-generation college student has been presented in her poetry where she hopes to encourage her readers to preserve the indigenous roots of the lands that were stolen. Outside of writing, she spends her time baking bagels and keeping on track with her homework. Follow her on Instagram @hilary_natasha. 

Poem on Belonging

Esta noche sueño con dormir en los brazos de mi abuela, pero ayer ella preparó té para curarme el corazón.

quiero caer del cielo
—como las lágrimas que bañan nuestros ríos
sueño con recoger flores de sus manos
—como las heridas que le han xmarcado el rostro
dejándola poco a poco saborear el chocolate agridulce casero

—un trozo de jade que refleja la luz que
viene después de una tormenta de invierno tropical
en nuestra casa.

Tonight, I dream of sleeping in my abuela’s arms, but yesterday she prepared tea to heal my heart.

i want to fall from the sky
—like the tears that bathe our rivers
i dream of picking up flowers from her hands
—like the wounds that have marked her face
slowly letting her taste bittersweet homemade chocolate

—a piece of jade reflecting the light
that comes after a tropical winter storm
in our home.

Copyright © 2022 by Hilary Cruz Mejia. Used with permission of the author.