Groanings from the Desert

By Alma Lizzette Cardenas-Rodriguez

Groanings from the Desert by Mexico- Estadounidense Alma Cardenas is a collection of English & Spanish teo-poemas, prayers, and thoughts that invite you into her pain, joy, hopes, and dreams. The pages are a sacred place that hold pieces of Alma that have been scary to share, but deadlier to think that she is alone and keep them to herself. They are a counter cultural response to her experience of navigating toxic mindsets and systems of her faith community and culture, and brings to life truths which have set her free. They were written between February and October of the year 2020. Writing them has released her voice in ways she never knew was in her, which in turn has allowed her to heal and step into being fully her. This book is especially for youth, young adults, and women of color, but also for the parents, mentors, pastors, madrinas, and padrinos who are walking alongside them. May you always have people around you who create spaces that encourage you to speak, dream, and be unapologetically you