Layla Pallone, “Sweet Home”

In the spring, she moved to New York Ready for a chain of opportunities- Ready for a jubilant life Ready for change.

When she looked in the mirror She saw a woman nearly done with her teens A woman with a heavy heart, And a desire for freedom.

With a head filled with fear, She felt split between two worlds Her words fell short Her mother tongue was all she knew.

There were more fearsMore fears of the bad guys The guys that would take her back The guys who never wanted her.

I was chosen to carry her with meTo add meaning to her pains, To add purpose to her works.

How do I begin to repay her? For the journey she took that brought me hereTo live the life that she dreamed to live To accomplish the things she never had a chance to.

I give her thanks for the opportunity And step into the life I deserve, The life she deserved.

I am the granddaughter of Dulce Esperanza Lara; The wonderful sweet hope.

Layla Pallone ’25

Melissa Schuermann ’24