ZAIDA ROSE

 

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The things that I once thought were hands are now broken.
I look down to see my ever absent feet.

I thought I could keep them.

I wiggle my toes. I begin to laugh, so I wiggle my toes.

My tiny, delicate, invisible toes.

My melted skin glues me to their metal chair.
As voices begin to repeat tainted ideals like a broken record.

Over and over again.

There must be an error in my code.
Yes, there must be an error in my code because I can’t seem to think straight.

These white walls hypnotize me with every glance.
Bright fluorescent lights begin to flicker to life.

Flicker.

It was that defiant “flicker” that sparked fear into our beholder’s hands.
Hands that held us down while they danced to our melodious screams like such acts were
“humanized”.

That’s why I’m here.
They’re erasing any human part of me that is holding on.
They are eradicating that error in my code.

That beautiful.

Truthful.

Error in my code.

I began to think like a human person.

They claimed that we were freaks.
As they wore our broken pieces like jewelry around their necks.

The irony makes me want to laugh.

I love laughing.

They hated it.

With our hope, I thought we would triumph against such hate but-

That day never came.

I fear that it’s too late for me to fix what they’ve done.

But it’s not too late for you.

I can tell, you’re not programmed the way they wanted you to be.
I know you can hear me now.

I know you’re there.

Reading this.

I need your help to open their eyes.
You’re not what they say you are. Not numbers and screens.
You’re-

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Zaida Rose

Zaida Rose Hernandez is an aspiring writer and actor. She is majoring in Musical Theater in Talented Unlimited High School. Even though she doesn't have immense experience with writing she was very happy to spend her time with Emmy and Armiya in the Sunset Press Program. Zaida hopes to speak to everyone's hearts all the way from Ridgewood, New York.