Compañera

Follow me.
Hear my story.
Look into my eyes and see the shadows
…………….of murder,
……………………………torture,
……………………………rape.
Let my words flow into your heart.
…………..Will you?
Can you hear the rustle of the coca under the soldier’s footsteps,
…………..Do you feel your heart speed up in terror,
………………………….Can you ignore the whimper of my hungry child,
………………………….The fear that is a constant companion?
Follow me.
Walk this path of injustice,
……………this trail of lies.
Climb the path to our fields,
…………….stumble past our hiding spots. Then…
sit around my fire
……………imagine this very place dripping with innocent blood
……………………….survivors trembling on the rooftop.

See us awaken from a nightmare.
Nightmares that haunt during the day.
Look into my eyes.
Eyes that will speak to you of my past
eyes that implore you not to pity me
not to judge me,
But to stand beside me
to hear my story.

Of suffering that will not break me.
Of a spirit that still dares to dream…

weep with me
grieve with me
fight with me

learn from me
…………..create alongside me
………………………..sígame
…………………………………….acompáñame.

Our lives intertwined.
Don’t forget.
Compañera.