Alegría’s poem, "Accounting," intricately weaves together the significant milestones of her existence, crafting a tapestry of moments that define her. These events, spanning across vast stretches of time, offer a window into her evolving self through various stages of life. The carefree girl who once leapt over puddles is the same resilient woman who mourned the loss of loved ones and dedicated herself passionately to her country's liberation. Her journey is marked not just by the passage of years but by a profound transformation—from a youthful innocence to a steadfast commitment to social causes.

As the poem draws to a close, the poet stands on the brink of yet another transition—the inevitability of her own demise. However, she does not see this as an end. Instead, like the many poets who have walked this path before her, she understands that her essence will endure within the stanzas of her work. Beyond mere recollections, her very being is immortalized within the verses. In this creative act of self-preservation, she echoes the timeless sentiments of luminaries like William Shakespeare, who in his Sonnet 55 declared that through poetry, he too would achieve eternal life beyond the reach of time and decay.

Alegría’s poem stands as a powerful tribute to her resilience and the immense strength required to withstand tragedy. Born amidst turmoil, her life began in a nation rife with conflict. As a newborn, Alegría’s father stood firmly against the United States marine occupation in Nicaragua, leading the family into peril. They faced harassment and ominous gunfire from armed soldiers. Though Alegría was just an infant when her family finally escaped Nicaragua, she grew up deeply aware of her identity as a refugee and an exile from her homeland.

In lines 16 and 17, the poet evocatively recalls her prolonged anticipation for her country's liberation: “I don’t know how many years / dreaming of my people’s liberation.” The word “dreaming” encapsulates the profound longing she felt during those years of waiting. Her vigil for freedom spanned fifty-five years.

Many seldom pause to delve deeply into the intricacies that shape their sense of self. Yet, each of us stands as a vibrant mosaic pieced together by the pivotal events we've experienced. Alegría powerfully captures this truth in her poem, “Accounting.” At the very outset, she unveils her age and signals her intention to recount the defining episodes of her existence, those "few electrical instants" that left an indelible mark on her soul.

These profound moments, etched into her being, sculpted the adult who emerged from the carefree child joyously skipping through puddles. Alegría's sense of identity blooms from a rich tapestry of self-awareness, woven through a life lived across diverse landscapes—from the picturesque lanes of Delft to the ancient stones of Machu Picchu. Her identity is the sum of life's events, whether celebrating new life with the birth of a child or grieving the irreplaceable loss of a parent.

Every occurrence in Alegría's journey is collectively considered, forming the vital threads of her self-identity. Through her poem, she offers her audience a deeply intimate glimpse into her essence, artfully composing the narrative of her identity for all to see.

In the tapestry of Alegría’s life, lines 12 through 13, alongside 17, 18, and 19 from “Accounting,” illuminate her unwavering dedication to championing human rights. Within a mere 26-line poem, nearly a fifth resonates with her fervent advocacy for the liberty of mankind, the battle against injustice, and the compassionate aid extended to the desolate. Line 11 poignantly captures the moment a "hoarse...