Where the Mangrove Grows

Take me to where the mangrove grows,
where roots are strong and able to weather the storms.
Thick like trunks, they stand proud and grand,
in the motherland, they fiercely withstand.

‘Mid the waves and the sands that shift,
the mangrove holds onto life, their roots a myth,
because they are deep and ancient, a testament strong,
to survival’s anthem— a lifelong song.

With leaves fine, a vivid display,
the mangrove loves them when they easily sway.
For in the harsh elements, it knows how to thrive.
For it lives where it lives, where it can survive.

But while the mangrove stands tall and proud,
I am still only rootless, I am bowed.
And with the sense of loss,
a longing awaits,
a something fierce, a poignant cost.

For the mangrove, its roots are its lifeline,
a handshake of itself, strong and defined.
Yet I still wander, and wait for that connection,
to my roots and all their affection.

Take me to where the mangrove grows,
for there lies the place where tales of identity are told.
I travel to its home, a stranger in search of my own,
and the mangrove extends its branches, to help me feel less alone.

Take me to where the mangrove grows,
take me to where it thrives.
For it knows the importance of roots and where I derive.
Take me to it’s shelter, where solace I find,
a connection to my roots, beautifully aligned.

 

 

Emalie Marquez is a Hispanic-Asian writer born in Des Plaines, Illinois. Her verses strive to answer questions, debunk myths, and essentially capture the essence of raw, provocative narratives. Emalie’s goal as a writer is to blur the fine line between unsaid and said and to shatter stereotypes and the standard beliefs. Currently a sophomore in high school, her other work can be seen in the Alexandrian Review and LEVITATE.