nyc, summer 2019
the softness of the music
against the clanging of the wheels
they drag to a stop on the tracks
“what a wonderful world”
pours from his trombone
how can a song so beautiful make me feel so sad?
march 16, 2020
to those isolated, self-quarantined
to the grieving and scared
to the hopeful and pragmatic
to those who celebrate a birthday
and the ones who mourn a death
to my sister, my daddy, my lover,
and friends
to the strangers on the L train who
held thanksgiving as they rode
and to the queers who dance til sunrise at the House of Yes
to those lost and confused
to those who pray
those who meditate over their morning coffee
to the grateful and to those who persist
to the extro/intro/omnivert
to the depressed and lonely
the suffering, the sick, the newborn babies
to the ones who bravely called their gramma for the first time in a while
and the ones who call her every day
you’re not alone
i’m with you
drinking coffee and dreaming of the days
when we can dance again
together
i miss you
i love you
i don’t even know you
i hope that i make people happy
that i make life easier and more simple
that the people who surround me
feel joy and peace when they’re with me
that i continue to show respect
and i pray to get that in return
love
is the smell of lilies
as you walk into a dry hotel room
in Somewhere, America
it’s realizing the trip home
to cornfields and cows
is the one thing that will make you
whole again
it’s knowing that you’re adored
love
is never wanting for anything
because you have it all
sometimes i wonder if my whole career
will be rattling off degrees and awards
and accolades i have
just to prove that i’m worthy enough
to be
in
the
room
“sick and tired of being sick and tired”,
all while having everything i need