endured
we have
the shackles of colonialism
the wrath of war
the storms of a planet in pain
endure
we shall
the panic of pandemics
the collapse of commerce
the sting of cuts
endure
we will
because our resilience
runs
deep
deep
as roots
that reach down into the soil,
out to other roots, together holding the land together,
and up through trees and taro and hibiscus
that bring shelter and food and beauty
deep
as the respect
the honor
the dignity
that course through our bones
when we bow to fannginginge’
and bend our knees to pray
and lift our hands to help
deep
as the night sky
cast across the horizon
with stars and the moon and constellations
that light the way back home
deep
as ocean currents
that run and flow and crash along our shores
with tuna and dolphins and memories
interweaving islands
sprinkled south to north
from the rim of Micronesia
to the tip of Japan
deep
as a trench
that stretches for miles and miles and miles
along a ring of fire
that rumbles and rages and rises
giving birth to mountains
that reach for the heavens
endured we have
endure we shall
endure we will
because
our resilience runs
deeper
than any chasm we face
we
endure
because
we
are
Marianas
Strong
— GALVIN DELEON GUERRERO
