They tried to make me disappear-
to break me down,
to bury my voice in silence,
to let my spirit fade beneath the weight of despair.

But they didn’t count on me waking up.
Waking up from the nightmare.
Waking up from the lies.
Seeing the deceit.
Feeling the betrayal.
Carrying the pain.
Crying the tears.

If they only knew-
how deep the wounds go,
how fierce the fire still burns.

They tried to make me disappear,
but they forgot who I am.

I am a nurse.
A Hispanic woman.
A veteran who proudly served her country.

We don’t give up.
We don’t break.
We rise.

They tried to erase me.
But I’m still here-
louder,
stronger,
unshakable.

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