PORTLAND, Maine - Girlhood is full of peril and promise. Veronica Recalde captures its essence in her essay of that title, which is part of our Friday series produced in partnership with the Telling Room in Portland.
Girlhood
Dear girl,
You are standing at the seashore,
Smelling the salt in the water.
Get used to it.
It will carve your nose upright,
Your lips full and red,
Your eyes clear and wide.
This is girlhood.
The salty liquid will pour into your wounds,
Like the words that define you.
The waves will try to sway you.
Plant your feet on the bottom of the sea,
And never let go.
Swim only when you want to-
Use your arms and legs,
Pump up and down,
Roll side to side.
This is girlhood.
There will be rocks at the bottom
Scraping your feet and hands.
Water will fill your lungs.
The words you try to speak will be inaudible.
Try again, speak louder.
You will get thirsty,
The saltwater will never be enough.
Seek all the clear water you need,
Quench your thirst.
This is girlhood.
The unwavering waves
will try to shape you,
Fish-like, sudden and ungraceful.
Their ancient rhythm will remind you
Of the struggle of others.
Honor them.
Swim at your own pace.
This is girlhood.
You will be a woman.
This is your ocean,
Full of beautiful seaweed and dangerous sharks.
This is not a warning, this is a blueprint.
The water will scream that you do not matter.
That you come second.
But you don't.
Stand up, go above the water, to the surface.
That's where you belong.
This is girlhood.
You will survive it.
Veronica Recalde, an 18-year-old poet originally from Colombia, decided to spend her gap year before college as a student at Casco Bay High School in Portland, meeting new people and writing new poetry. “Girlhood” is a coming-of-age piece, inspired by her own experiences growing up in a male-dominated society. This piece intends to empower young girls to rise above expectations and prejudices. Veronica’s experiences in Colombia and Maine helped her grow as a person and as an aspiring poet.