by Aezel Anne J. Fernando As I slowly swept the pooling liquid on the ground My eyes catches the Acacia tree Enormous; stout. Yet, almost empty within Just like my hope as thin as my skin. And the blight of the leaves in every limb. That day, I felt uneasy This place was anew Back in my home, in December breeze Only the lightweight wind gives a kiss In my utterly sensitive skin. But now, the small cavity of ice, Jab the innocent face of mine. Coldness pinches my heart. For ev

“You think the only people who are people Are the people who look and think like you But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger You'll learn things you never knew, you never knew” - Judy Kuhn, Colors of the wind, Pocahontas,1995. This verse from Disney's movie “Pocahontas” entails the thoughts and inner voices of immigrant and refugee families towards the people around them as they try to navigate a foreign country with unfamiliar customs, people, language and traditions, i

You will be fine As hard as it may seem, You will be fine. Enter a world full of new things You can’t seem to be finding a peaceful state of mind But it’s not the worst You will be fine. It’s trying to drag you down, Your mindset But you know, you will be fine. That’s the plan The plan for you to suffer with pain But no pain is permanent Leave it there, and move forward Look far and far into your life You will be fine. Appreciate changes, absorb them And let them know that it

When people think of Cuba, they often picture colorful vintage cars, lively music, and sunlit streets. While those images are real, they only tell part of the story. To truly “walk in the world” of Cuban people, especially those who have immigrated or sought refuge elsewhere, you have to look beyond the surface and into daily life shaped by resilience, community, and adaptation. In Cuba, everyday routines are deeply influenced by limited resources. Something as simple as gro