Hugo's Poem

Leaving Soft Signatures
by Hugo Ramirez

I am Fontanillis Falls
the river that tumbles and ows
down from Fontanillis Lake to the Velmas.
I sprint
carving through the granite
leaving soft signatures behind.

I get stronger and stronger as
little creeks join me,
my family supporting me
their cheering makes me run
faster.
Their love and trust makes me feel
invincible.
Together, we descend a mountain
Narrowing like a funnel.

I am challenged by trying to speak English,
a slow eddy going back upstream.
My current is Spanish,
fast, swift water.
I don’t want to be angry,
splashing all over the place.
I want to be comfortable
in both currents.

I learn to go the right way
by making mistakes,
like getting suspended in 7th grade,
being rude to a teacher.
This trouble
helped me make good decisions.
I was bored at home, missing my friends
while they were at school learning.

I am a caring river,
nurturing sh, my two brothers and six sisters.
Our happiness keeps our water
Clear
our food is laughter,
a splashing river
smashing over two granite rocks
my parents, my mom Evelia
my father Jose Luis,
help me go after what I want.
They help me with sports and school
showing me the right path,
giving happiness to all around me and a
fragrant smell.

I am a free river,
that’s going far away
ghting through tough times,
a river that wants to be heard
I am a happy river
succeeding in college,
endless possibilities,
lots of sunshine in my soul.

I am Fontanellis Falls
the river that tumbles and ows
down from Fontanellis lake to the Velmas.
I sprint
carving through the granite
leaving soft signatures behind.
I am a river.