Each of my legs feel like giant tree trunks, filled with a constant hum
There is a man playing the drums in my head,
And my nose feels like its been in a freezer, completely red.
I finally get my layered body to ride.
All these overlapped clothes are telling lies.
Because I am not warm! The fierce cold fights through all the barriers on my body.
And all I want is to hold on tight to somebody.
As we gather on the sidewalk with our mouths taped, holding signs, locked in chains
I stare at the building: 1-0-0-0 North Central and remember the pain
The pain of my ancestors, the pain of the 1.5 million
And I remember the willingness of our government allowing them to be forgotten.
Suddenly I don’t feel so cold, suddenly I’m not so hungry or weak.
I have the strength to ignore the warmth which my toes seek.
I have the courage to ignore the groaning monster in my stomach.
Nothing else matters Not food, not comfort. Not warmth… Our hope and determination is stuck.
I will stay here with your support, along with all my fellow fasters.
Because nobody can take away what is rightfully ours.
All of our voices ARE being heard and WILL continue to be heard.
-Nareen Melkonian
