Day 23: Ode to My Curls

I spend hours on my curly hair, it's just not fair. 

Millions of products on my shelf but can’t seem to love myself.

The humidity has become my enemy it feels like I’m wasting my energy

Trying to live up to the world's expectation I’m filled with frustration flat iron straightening 

These strands living in a world filled with society's demands

Each curl is a stress I just wanna feel pretty not any less

Except each curl is a story I must learn not to worry

Anyone can stare because my curls were given to wear 

My curls are my culture that I must embrace growing up is not a race

About the Author

Lola Gutiérrez, Somos Escritora Alumna (Summer 2021)

About the Blog Series

The #LatinaLuminaries Blog Series by Somos Escritoras. The series was created to illuminate the wisdom, experiences, voices, and truths of Latina women and girls and the broader Latinx community. The blog series features writing from escritoras (participants) and writing mentors from Somos Escritoras Latinx Writing Workshop. Published Latina authors, writers, poets, and illustrators who presented at our workshop also contributed to the blog series.