I realize I grew

When shirts didn’t fit anymore.

When t-shirts, once smooth

Were distorted by two bumps on my chest.

 

I realized I grew

When joints began to hurt

When I was fifty percent, seventy-five percent, one hundred percent

The height of my parents; they were so tall before.

 

I realized I grew

When candy became too sweet.

When I stuck out my tongue at Starburst

But readily drank my parent’s bitter green tea.

 

I realized I grew

When Cousin Michelle went from mean to relatable.

When Cousin Elena became too energetic.

Did I play so vivaciously before?

 

I realized I grew

When I understood 2016.

When I comprehended the election

With a solemn seriousness

 

I realized I grew

When I realized the laws have it out for us.

When abortion bans became legal, and I didn’t have a choice

When “The Handmaid’s Tale” became prophetic

When gun laws were necessary education

When Parkland became more than a place

When Reaganomics came back

When billionaires profited again

When corporate greed killed the environment

When the American Dream became an excuse

When immigrants suffered more than before

When people could be killed for their love

When corruption kills the innocent

 

I realized I grew

When I understood all that I have to fight.