07 May, 2025

hope, like wildflowers, blooms in this very place

Another poem I wrote in the days following the Palisades & Eaton Fires <3 


 I see… a city etched in gradients of gold, From sun-kissed beaches to hills untold, Where concrete rivers carve a sprawling grace, And dreams, like hummingbirds, find their own space. A tapestry woven of stories untold, Los Angeles, resilient, brave, and bold.

I see… the embers fading, a smoky haze, Where yesterday’s flames danced in a fiery maze, Homes turned to ash, a landscape scarred and bare, Yet from the rubble, a spirit takes to air. The scent of char lingers, a somber trace, But hope, like wildflowers, blooms in this very place.

I see… hands reaching out, calloused and strong, Neighbors helping neighbors, righting what went wrong, A mosaic of faces, diverse and bright, Sharing burdens, under the fading firelight. From every corner, a helping hand they lend, A community mending, until the very end.

I see… the Navajo Hotshots, with ancient knowing, Their footsteps echoing, where the flames were flowing, A legacy of wisdom, passed down through the years, Fighting fire with fire, calming all our fears. Their presence a blessing, a sacred, steady guide, Protecting the land, with unwavering stride.

I see… the Mexican firefighters, brave and true, Crossing borders of language, with a shared point of view, A brotherhood forged in the heart of the blaze, Their courage a beacon, in these challenging days. Solidarity shining, a powerful embrace, Humanity’s strength, in this devastated space.

I see… from afar, where island rhythms beat, A daughter of Jamaica’s sun-kissed shore, With gentle hands and softly pattering feet, Bringing oxtail and warmth, a comforting psalm, Sharing the flavors of home, a taste of the past, Nourishing bodies and spirits, built to last. A reminder of connection, in the face of despair, Love’s gentle power, mending with tender care.

I see… a city rising, from the ashes and dust, Reforged in the flames, with unwavering trust, In the power of unity, the strength of the soul, Los Angeles stands tall, making itself whole. A testament to resilience, a beacon so bright, Shining through darkness, a guiding, hopeful light.


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