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in my backyard.
By the breadth and color
of its leaves,
its stem,
by the intricacies of its roots,
I know
it’s Sorrow.
And like those before it,
I will tend it.
Its breath is weakening,
unlike that of Joy,
tightening the chest,
like that of Envy,
like that of Anger.
But I will not uproot them.
I will nurture,
tend,
water,
talk to them.
Their roots
claim the land.
For in due time,
They will become trees,
bearing
countless pages.
I will pluck them one by one,
consume them.
My heart will strengthen
and the views
will become clear.
Erika Lynet Salvador, born and raised a Filipina, is a student at Amherst College, Massachusetts. A visual artist and essayist, her written pieces have appeared at the Philippine Daily Inquirer and the Transit Dialog. She held the role of editor-in-chief for two school-level journalism publications and was the opinion editor for a national award-winning newspaper, Pana Verde. Connect with her at @bodeganierika.