Learn to spell it
Learn to say it
sign it or write it
Learn the story or
meaning behind it
It is a sign of respect
If you anglicize it
you erase minha herança
you erase minha cultura
You not only dishonor me
but also meus pais e avós
who chose the name for me

My name is not Rosanna
nor Roseanna
My name is Rossana
spelled with 2 Ss and 1 N
It is an Italian variant of the
Persian, Roshan/Roshanak
meaning light, bright, dawn
My name has no relation
to Roseanna or Rosanna
which is Rose + Anna
Mia madre told me in Italiano
it sounds like rolled r +ow+sah+nah
Meu pai told me em Português Brasileiro
it sounds like h+o͝o+suh+nuh
Meus avós chose it because
I was born with copper-reddish hair
though it darkened over time
If you have a need unrelated
to an imperialistic attempt
to make me like you
you can call me Ro

© Rossana Reis, 2015

If I find a magnolia tree
I scurry n scamper off
like it's the only one left
on this pale blue dot

I shriek with glee
like a quirky child
to pijama plática
invitations

I dramatically set the scene
to a long winded ass story
hook you with suspense
until we laugh n cry
and our bellies hurt

I shake my happy hips
to soulful samba beats
in my cozy kitchen
as I experiment with
first-time recipes and
polka dot my walls

I amorously paint my face
all the way to my tail
after several days of
down n dirty
playin n creatin

When all Netflix episodes
are generously at my disposal
I must preview the beginning
of the next 45-minute episode
because the sudden ending
of the last 45-minute episode
was a damn cliffhanger

During a 6.0 earthquake
I clutched to my most
prized possessions
my passionately painted
n mosaic'ed masterpieces
instead of gettin the hell
outta my multi-painted pad

On a torrential downpour day
I contemplated between holding
my dazzling red n white
metallic companion
my circular canopy of
carlina flowered cloth
and my freshly brewed
buttery n creamy coffee
I chose my umbrella
and..........coffee
and hoped for
the best

© Rossana Reis, 2015

Get to know what
makes me bell out with
head turning laughters
storytelling til we slumber

Get to know what
pulls the chords of mi corazón
sending salty droplets
and blowing my horn

Get to know what
makes my blood boil
until my heart aches
shouldering the weight

Get to know what
gives me courage
to heal into wholeness
surviving and thriving

Get to know what
brings turbulent tides
and calming seas
breathing at ease

Get to know me.

© Rossana Reis, 2015

You want citation
I will give you stories
that will never enter
the Journals or Annals
of American History
If that does not satisfy you
well, I'm not here to satisfy
the status quo
to make prickly truths
into puréed proofs
easier to swallow
No, I will give you
multiple lived realities
and complex truths
that will leave you
twisting and turning
during sleepless nights
until one day
you decide to
dismantle systems
of oppression
inside out

© Rossana Reis, 2015

Your gentle smile makes me feel
all kindsa wonderful inside

You smooch me endlessly
when I'm cranky with my crunched eyebrows

You wrap your arms around me
when I weep watching a five-handkerchief

You greet me with gratitude pecks on my neck
as I wash a pile of day old dirty dishes

Your love for me explodes exponentially
when I cook an exquisite cuisine of quibes

When I accidentally break glass into a million pieces
you sweep away my sighs

You soothe me with your sweet signs
Everything will be alright

Your gentle touches remind me
you are here, there and everywhere

You make my day
with sliced apples, cucumbers and tajín

You make me giggle with glee
when I finally lose the sweats or the robe

You float into the heavens with smiley eyes
when I kiss every inch of your face

You send tender loving messages
on the curves and bents of my back

You love fiddling with my feet
tickling, teasing and tugging my toes

I love canoodling with you
until we fade into the lily fields of faraway

© Rossana Reis, 2015