Daughter of Fire

by Sofia Robleda

I’d felt many things about being Mestiza. I’d felt lost, torn, confused about who I was and where I belonged, for I was always on the fringes. In rare moments, however, I’d also felt proud, lucky to be privy to the beauty of two completely different worlds. Hopeful that I could make them both better.

Why was I never allowed to say anything, do anything, ask anything, without being torn down?

I wished for nothing more than to feel the full warmth of his words. Those words I’d prayed for, without knowing, for weeks, months, a whole year. But I couldn’t.