"I know the stench and sting of chlorine."

"terrorism is here/lurking at the bus stop"; "it's the blood that tells"; "letters dancing backwards"

"For I am coconut"

"crashing"; "Bang!"; "popped"; "smacked"; "whispers"; "gurgling"

"We are one now...eighteen syllables. A single poem."

"Eyes stapled to the page in front of me..."

"Time, a perfumed bottle hanging from her neck"

"...and the tick-tick-tick of time, which is equal parts yours and mine."

"Knees knocking like a skeleton on Halloween"

"But first, say no to coke and smoke."

"Say no to race and hate. Don't underestimate..."

"My jaw dropped from shock..."

"...one of the lies she sprinkles like sugar."

"I will paint los niños...I will paint my cousins...I will pain Mami..."

"A woman ain't no punching bag."

"'til someone with skin like milk yelled action!"

"They were shaking in their boots..."

"You laugh, wrap my woody shell with wicked whispers..."

"...the toothless, squirming bundle ..."

"Abuelita says my talent is as old as her bones."