Irvin Garcia, a Boyle Heights native, has been exploring poetry for eight years since his first awkward high school crushes in 2012. What was once an indecisive tree prone to falling, he asserted his sturdy nature through diligence, passion, and patience by springing to his first self-published poetry book, “Falling in Winter’s Spring.” Irvin currently works with vulnerable populations at a non-profit organization that provides housing and retention services which has allowed him to empathetically write about these themes. During the weekends, Irvin enjoys going on random adventures with friends, rewatching his favorite movies, and listening to music that brings him nostalgia.