Loneliness is
Watching your sea-blue home floating in the blackness
hundreds of thousands of miles away.
Leaving your cousins
to live where no one speaks your language.
Being abandoned by your family,
then visiting your favorite sister after she has died.
Waiting at the bus stop by yourself
and feeling like it’s last year all over again.
Fear is
Standing on the ladder of Eagle
before taking one small step—
one giant leap—
into the ancient dust.
Lining up on a gangplank in Los Angeles
before taking your first step
into your new country, Amerika,
with your new husband,
knowing you can never go back home.
Gathering with thousands of other people
about to step together
to a song of freedom and equality for everyone,
no matter what it may cost.
Watching the bus door open
and reading WATCH YOUR STEP
as you lift your foot
on your first day of eighth grade.
But courage is
Taking that one small step
anyway.