Poet X

She knows it is unavoidable, so she goes overboard to gain it on her own terms

She encourages it, and then fights anyone who gives it to her

She dislikes it and does everything she can to avoid it

She fears it, so she stays in her apartment all the time

She wants to please her mother, so she looks forward to them

She is excited about the chance to spend more time her Father Sean

She dislikes the classes and tries to avoid taking them

She wants to be a nun, so she sees them as a necessary part of her religious education

She fights or pretends the rumors do not bother her

She makes efforts to befriend the girls who spread the rumors

She spreads rumors about them as retaliation

She cries herself to sleep

Purity

Blessing

Warrior

Miracle

To go to the movies

To hang out at the Batista home

To listen to music

The go ice skating

She feels like church is a sacred space that brings her closer to God

She feels like church is a person

She feels moved by the statues and images of the saints

She feels content and safe from her mother's rage

Poetry that involves blending multiple languages

Poetry that is performed

Poetry that must incorporate dance moves

Poetry that must include words of others

There are no rules, so Xiomara can do whatever she wants

Xiomara is allowed to bring boys to the Batista home, but cannot go on dates outside of the house

She does not allow her daughter to date

Xiomara will be allowed to date once she is 17

Rap and hip-hop

Bachata

Traditional Dominican music

Classical music

She will be a poet who runs a nonprofit for struggling girls with asperations

She will return to the Dominican Republic to be with her extended family

She will be a teacher who helps orphans in the Caribbean

She will become the governor of NY