By Naomi Galindo

Homage to the state of Kansas, my home, which saw me grow up into the person that I am today. This piece was written by me in
high school. It began with a photography project capturing small towns in Kansas.

^{Naomi Galindo}

A gleam of hope
Is found above
The wind blows
I don’t know where I will be.
It guides me in a gentle flow
Not knowing my fortune
I have yet to see
The wonders of my home.
The meadowlark
That sits on the highest bark
Watched me every step of the way
And heard me say.

“Everything is possible”
Even though I am scared
The white, puffy clouds
Assure me; they are proud.
This is my home
Where the buffalo roam
To the beat of my heart
Right from the start.
Its golden fields of wheat
That makes me feel complete
It is quiet and serene
Which makes me feel seen.

This is my home:
A field of sunflowers smile
With every mile
That I walk even if it’s unknown.
Running through the streets
Those cobblestone paths
They were never discreet
When shouting where I was.
Turned me from a stranger
Gave me shelter
Safe from danger
There is nowhere I’d rather be.

The cotton candy sunsets
Which blessed the skies
From Cheyenne to Labette
Always captured my eyes.
A tribute to my ethnicity
was always captured in Wichita
A gesture of simplicity
Always left me in awe.
My identity was never erased
but rather embraced
By those who also called it
Their home.
Ad astra per aspera
These are my roots
Where I chose to pursue
My sunflower roots.