“Cold”

 

On cold winter nights

When all I have to accompany me

Are desperate thoughts

And salty tears,

The thought of you wraps me up

And suddenly,

I am warm again.

 

 

“Knives”

 

And even though it hurts

When i look at you,

i’d rather it be 1,000 knives

Than the lack of your presence.

 

 

 

“machines”

 

People are essentially

Well-oiled machines

With the tendency to fall in love

And break down.

 

 

 

“pretty”

 

Do not be reduced to “pretty”.

Storms are not pretty;

They are strong

Powerful and free

Mighty and unwavering.

 

Relentlessly passionate

And ever growing.

You are a storm

Of the womanly variety.

Do not

Be reduced

To

Pretty.

 

 

*The opinions and ideas expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the opinions of The Bronx Brand*

Lu Perez is from the Eastchester section of the Bronx but currently resides in the Fordham area.  Being Latina and growing up in a predominantly Hispanic/Latinx community in the Bronx has been a great influence in the way she writes. Her appreciation for her Dominican heritage comes through in Lu’s work. From the slang, the open fire hydrants during the summer, the sticky streets and booming music have become pieces in the puzzle that forms Lu’s identity; these are the experiences that have had a profound effect on the way Lu perceives the rest of New York, and the world.