one of my favorite times to take a walk is when school is being let out
the sunlight hits the buildings here differently than anywhere else
keep chasing the light they say
crayola colors of kids pictures imagined on the houses
nothing matches and it more beautiful
the sun glows along the greens, blues, pink, purples, with trims of other vibrant colors
all one of kind
the sun saying goodbye before it hits the pavement again
i sometimes sit along the houses just to soak up the sun before she leaves again
when spoken language is too much to bear
there is this
one of my favorite times to take a walk is when school is being let out
the walking in twos and in groups of friends
caregivers with kids and other caregivers with more kids
there is some excitement and joy that only lives between 330pm and 4pm
hands held
friends laughing
caregivers holding the lunch boxes or heavy back packs
the walking side by side and talking
those conversations
some bike riding
like the sun along the building
like the sunset or sunrise
it is only here for a bit
and you miss it if you don’t look up
when spoken language is too much to bear
there is this
along the one street where everyone shops
and nods to each other
the shop owners
the neighbors
it is the last sunny spot bench before the sun goes again
sometimes i sit there just to get the last morsel
one day the neighbor’s grandma sat next to me
she usually sits down the street but that day is walked with me
Grandma Medina
we call her
the Richmond district grandma who dances in front of her house with you
the other neighbors clap in joy of what can happen in
something spontaneous
and joyful and something about elders knowing what we don’t
and tells you she is waiting for her grandson
and that you are beautiful
and i should work less no matter the day
on that day
we sat in front of the taqueria on our last sun filled bench
talking
not talking
people came up to talk to us we didn’t know
smiled at us
we sit
just sit
i hope every time i walk i see our neighborhood grandma
when spoken language is too much to bear
there is this