Herencia, by Alina Gallegos

Herencia

My name is from the desert plains in Guadalajara and also from the heart of Spain

I belong to the New Mexican desert thistles

                that stand up proud, representing my home state.

I am from my mother,

                born into the town of Las Cruces but my heart belonging to Mexico.

I come from a family given brown eyes and green

                where the kitchen is the heart of the house.

I’m from a place where my primos and tios are my compadres

                and theatrical tias gossiping for my entertainment

I was raised to embrace the phrase “Mexican American” and told to never be ashamed

                of my cultura

I come from a place where faith is more important than fact,

                the belief of a higher power passed through the generations.

I’m from a place where tortillas mean more than bread

                and tamales make everyone come together.

I belong to a cultural world where my heart will always belong to my herencia

                and I will live in this place where I can call myself a Chicana 

This is a poem I've been working on for a while and I really wanted to share.  I appreciate any feedback!