The First Ones

They call us the architects

who build the foundation

for generations to come

We move forward

decoding the hidden curriculum

never known to us before

The first one

in our families

to create something from scratch 

A hallway with

lights off

and no supporting walls

Exams disguised as inspections

testing our limits,

highlighting our passion

Unexpected roadblocks

that build doubt 

yet help us push forward

The pen on the paper

draws images of perseverance

during times of confusion

We possess in our hands

good luck and determination

to help us with our drafts

We are gifted with 

sketches by previous architects and

grit to shatter those glass ceilings

They call us the first ones — 

the children of immigrants

paying tribute to our ancestors