I am embarking on a road trip across the country to begin a new job in the Big Apple. From Syracuse to East Windsor to Grapevine to McKinney to Westwood to New York City, it tickles me how I have made a giant loop throughout the US. Each stopping point has marked a different chapter in my life. New York, where I was born, a result of two star-crossed Orange lovers. New Jersey, where I tumbled across yards and walked with dragons and ants alike. Texas, where I pushed myself to the limit and spent afternoons playing cards while eating pomegranates. Los Angeles, where I found my chosen family and changed my surname to Community Service Commission. And now New York, ______________________________________.
As I close the door on Los Angeles, I'm leaving without being able to say goodbye because I refuse to. My friends and family will be on my mind and in my heart for the rest of my existence. Geographical distance will not stop me from loving you all up close and out loud, but it may stop me from convincing every restaurant we go to that it's your birthday. Boo.
Y para mi ranita? Este poema es para él.
I miss picking avocados and the "eat this not that" debates in the grocery store.
I miss "Te amo de aqui hasta las estrellas" and enchiladita
and the comfortable silence of a long car ride.
I miss let's go to that one place in Echo Park for tacos
and automatically cheering for the Puerto Rican queen on RuPaul's drag race.
I miss hey how was your day can I pick you(r spirits) up
and the giant stuffed teddy bear that takes up too much space on my bed.
I miss the lowkey trips for coffee and the highkey adventures at the happiest place on earth
(you thought it was Disney, but I thought it was the aviaries at the San Diego zoo).
I miss that time I was scared, I scared you in the middle of the night,
and let's see how cold the snow is.
I miss dancing as bunnies and owls, karaoke, and kbbq.
I miss not another chicken Cesar salad and traveling to the place of its invention.
I miss the smeared lizard on your back and your passion to make a difference and oh yeah did you hear about what Manny did today he licked a prize.
I miss warming my hands against your skin and the notes from my secret admirer.
I miss trying to make it through Star Wars and for being a bird Angel is the worst wing woman.
I miss you'll watch Frozen and I'll watch Pacific Rim and all the times we ventured into other worlds together.
I miss you.
