When I was young on the island
My family and I went everywhere
And we were never separated.
We weren’t bound by blood
But that didn’t matter to us.

When I was young on the island
We’d traverse the city blocks, apartment buildings, and vacant lots
Taking in all the sense and storing it for another time.
Sights and sounds
Never ceasing for anyone.

When I was young on the island
Nothing could beat a vendor hot dog
Or a piece of original American pizza.
Massive stores and businesses multiple stories tall
All becoming their own adventure

When I was young on the island
The whole world’s culture
Was right in your backyard.
Bloodlines, cultures, and color all ran together
Into a mixture of pure humanity.

When I was young on the island
Technology began its revolutionary boom
With gadgets straight out of Sci-Fi.
Like a nerd in a Best Buy ad
It was every kid’s dream.

When I was young on the island
I’d encountered strangers unique to humanity
And existing on a different plane of existence.
But I always knew better than to trust them,
No matter how much they screamed at me to believe.

Those were the best years of my life
And they will never be repeated
No matter how much I want to.
But luckily for me
I’ll always have the memories with me.