New York City

Every time I walk around New York City, I see a sign that says ‘Dream Until It’s Your Reality.’

A voice within whispers “You have bled and breathed, it is time to believe with certainty” 

Smiling faces and beating hearts trying to forget the messy parts of their past 

Torn between taking it slow and going fast 

On some days, expenses dampen the probability of enjoyable experiences 

Flamboyant fashion diverts attention from the unavoidable noise and mounting piles of trash 

Fresh flowers and coffee offer a quick fix for wounds of all shapes and sizes 

On some days, a glass of wine is all you need 

In a city dotted with twosomes in love and friends galore, occupying a table for one is a sin 

When a solitary picnic at Central Park is no longer appeasing, grocery shopping becomes therapeutic instead of a necessity 

In a city with people in every corner, you seldom feel lonely despite being alone 

When furry pets do not dwell with you, characters and people on the other side of a screen become your companions 

The glittering skyline nudges you to believe in magic and never stop dancing

A perfect balance between taxing and enchanting 

Brooklyn Bridge connects two different worlds in the same city 

New York is unforgiving if you are not grateful and gritty 

You can buy a bagel in the morning and end up at a stimulating East Village bar with communist roots at night 

A city filled with endless surprises and sweet temptations 

You can read on a park bench one afternoon and purchase a Bob Dylan

 vinyl record on a sidewalk while strolling back home 

A city where you may lose your way countless times, but will never lose sight of who you are 

While you grab a slice of pizza and groove to jazz, someone is taping together pieces of a broken heart 

A place to savor and create art 

While you catch a splendid sunset at a rooftop bar or buy used books, someone is longing for home-cooked food and a warm hug 

You switch between feeling like a magnificent beast and a trivial bug 

Getting by regardless of the missing parts inside 

A marching band infuses Ellen Stewart Way with music 

Hasty feet with empty eyes 

A trio in blue polo t-shirts eat Chick-fil-A by a water fountain

Somewhere between pigeons and yellow cab rides, you learn to let go of fear and be patient 

A city that reignites hope when the light within starts to extinguish 

Somewhere between skyscrapers and hot dogs, you choose to aspire and live in the moment 

A city where different thoughts, faces, beliefs and dreams blend with ease