Bogotá

2019

It's a different type of city 

Dogs summoned "venga" on the streets below 

Cats up and down connected techos 

Monserrate an anchor for the eye and a compass for lost walks

It's a city of poets, proclaimed in 1867 

Bleeding heart rebellious artists 

Word and paint slingers 

Acrylics and aerosol fiends, 

At my vantage point it seems the city doesn't sleep 

But I'm tucked into the belly 

Where I digest and process the inner barrio 

My inner barrio 

Among the wanderers, vagabonds and everything in between

Aware of the noise below, 

"Ladron, ladron!!" 

And ordinary people put on capes,

that's community. 

And despite the chill and grays 

there's a warmth that always welcomes me back 

Despite the heartbreak and hesitations ....if I see her in the streets

Mushroom loves spring too soon 

Nonetheless, the city summoned me 

Accepting the grit and nostalgia 

New Jersey & NYC in the 90's feel and 

I'm triggered, triggered to explore memory 

Memory with weaved in traumas I trapped for safety,

My young subconscious protecting my heart 

So I'm reminded 

Broken sidewalks remind me 

Brute force beggars remind me 

Cold, grey, oscuro skies and warm-hearted people remind me

The raps,

Hip-Hop boom-box culture reminds me 

How all of the contradictions make sense 

Poetry in my paradox and duality in my whole heart

And I believe roses do naturally grow from concrete

So I consume the chilly building's throb 

And create what I never had and watch how 

Community can bloom from a cracked & broken boy