Materialized Connections by Briana Gonzalez

“The world breaks everyone, and afterward,

many are strong at the broken places.”

-Ernest Hemingway

I’m from

charged hearts and love that strikes

as it crosses paths and changes direction

now impact-fully left with an indestructible connection.

I’m from a place

built on hearts

From my dad's dirty Levis work boots,

From the natural feeling of happiness.

It’s running into my dad's arms

when he gets home from work.

It’s admiring the damask roses he brought home for mom.

From long talks,

endless laughter and unconditional love

with my mom.

It’s watching the magnificent sunsets,

A scenery that left us speechless.

Something so impossible in our loud home.

It’s watching firsts steps,

as if they were mine.

Falling and having someone there,

to pick me up.

It’s not feeling the butterflies chant in the pit

of my stomach.

Having shoulders to land on,

And arms to hold onto.

I’m from somewhere I’ll always come back to.

Briana Gonzalez is a seventeen-year-old high school senior living in Marshall, Michigan. Her work has been honored by the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and published in Young American Poetry Digest, Bang Anthology, Austin International, and more. Cover art is “Who Are You” by Cynthia Lin, which can be found on THE VISUAL.