I am from the florescent lights
I am from the starless nights
Of the city with the bluest sky
And the hardest to say goodbye

I am from the wind in my hair and the salt in the air
I am from the sandy feet and unpaved streets

I am from the towering buildings and concrete jungle
I am from the city lights and Times Square fumble
I am from the rusty bikes and late night ocean swims
I am from tanning oil and dolphins

I am from the lip gloss she applies and the pool of green in his eyes
The feel of blonde tangling in my hand and the music of his old band

I am from the poems they created and the parts that they erased
I am from the curve of the pen on paper and the obstacles I’m yet to face

I am the ink and lead and misspelled words
I am the lessons learned
The pages turned
I am the character built around the crumbling waters of protection
I am the freedom in the waters and the sand of recollection

I was raised in the beach car we named Shelly
We filled her belly when we sang
“One Love
One heart
Give thanks and praise to the lord and we will feel alright
Let’s get together and feel alright”