Jenny Gomez
Northside Charter High School, ‘19
“By participating in Climate Speaks, my goal is to educate my peers about climate change. I want to be a part of the movement that will inspire current and future generations to generate solutions to save both our planet and themselves.”
Jenny comes from Brooklyn. She is the younger of two children, and is proud to represent her Guatemalan roots. Jenny has been intensively involved in making art that explores social norms, climate, justice, and youth empowerment. Jenny’s work spans media including oil and acrylic painting and graphic design. She hopes to help the members of her community become aware of the ways that they can take action in response to the climate crisis. She is also passionate about technology, and as a student at Brooklyn College starting next year, she will pursue a degree in computer science.
Earth’s Downfall
I was born on a green eon.
As I grew older, I became a little more self conscious,
And I began to hang out with the wrong crowd. Yeah! I was that kid.
I was just all too caught up in the need for the company of whom I
Considered my soulmates, which only paved the way
For a disastrous outcome. One of my closest friends, noticed my sporadic
Mood swings were taking their vengeance on my physical health.
He offered me a pill he assured me would bring cells into
My body that would work together to stabilize my health. I took it!
I have to admit for quite some time, I felt better than ever, revitalized even.
But nothing lasts forever, and my newly acquired physical stability
Would come to show that. One day, I began to feel sick again,
There were days when my body felt as cold as an Ice Age;
God awful rigid and crisp to the point that I got
Blisters on my colorless cracked lips.
Or as though on a Midsummer afternoon
My body was an Arid concrete street
As my health was skipping two steps down at a time.
Some of my organs threatened to shut down.
My cells were at war.
My body ached, but the physical pain was nowhere near
The emotional pain I felt. I felt Betrayal and it cut deeper into my soul
Like a shovel digs into the soil.
First I was angry at my cells...then I was angry at myself.
I was diagnosed with Global Warming Stage IV.
The doctors told me there was only a sliver of a chance that I could
Survive this, so they advised me not to
Get my hopes up. But I told them that even though
My cells have produced enormous amounts of Carbon Emission,
Waste, and Lit my lungs on fire, I still believe
They will one day redeem themselves and realize my body is their home,
And through their actions show they have come to understand that.
So I beg of them: Please, don’t shut the door on me.
