The Poetry Marathon

Gazing out

you can see the ocean.

No worries of evil

only animals on a

horse riding island

with one bridge

on and off this secret space.

CoastCity is an actual band,

a duo of two talented Puerto Rican artists.

If it were a city it’d be somewhere

on the shores of Florida,

not far from Miami.

It would have R&B mixed with Caribbean soul

like their music.

Their city flag would be purple like Purple & Prince.

An area full of Daytona race cars and dreams.

Spanglish would be the dialect spoken.

A desirable place, urban community

full of Hispanic rock stars with daring dreams

cross over barriers between English and Spanish

Spanish to English we all can learn

inside song lyrics and poetry.

It won’t begin in dialect song or verse

only in action.

Our hugged embrace,

kisses on cheeks,

sparkles caught inside one another’s eyes

smiles across our faces

burning sensations

we call butterflies.

Tears will mix with laughter

sweat while it is bitter cold,

frost in a heat wave

instrumental music without lyrics,

gestures radiate it is safe.

Everything else can be left on paper.

Promise  to never forget, you

where my words are left unsaid.

Your smile contained an explanation point,

hung on by a question mark.

This world should see you for what you are,

not what you became on paper.

Long for you on a summer breeze.

Again hoped for you on statues

of angels and holy figurines

decorating fresh cut lawns.

Dreamed of you on cabbage butterfly wings

and monarchs too.

When things are good, I crave for you.

missed you more when they turn bad.

Keep you like a prayer inside my heart,

remember yesterdays.

If I could meet you

for the first time again,

warn you of your future self.

There were signs we should’ve noticed.

So much loss made you numb,

I wasn’t meant to be your hero.

An attractive

athletic, artistic

son, brother, and father

classmate and crush.

Now only a proven statistic

anyone who lives south

on Long Island.

When I close my eyes

see your smile

hear your laugh

realize you wore sunglasses

more often than not,

hiding the beautiful brown almond shapes

of your eyes.

This reality

not even prayers could save you

How did you die?

My desire towards Erik was no secret.

Puerto Rican and Italian mixed

created in the Bronx

he’s exactly the type of guy

my mom never wanted me to bring home.

I hungered towards his dark curly hair,

thirst for his brown complexion.

A passion I wrote two poetry books

to him.

Craving him like Lucy did for Dez.

We are six years apart.

The itch ended in Vegas,

when fans saw him making out

with a brunette.

The two year yearning

to be inside his arms,

longing to kiss his lips stopped.

I didn’t have urges to be in his pants

anymore.

I wished and wanted him,

but never feel the need to settle

as his sloppy seconds.

This summer I will drive to 16 shows

8 in August 8 in September

through several states and time zone changes.

Janice will accompany me along with others

as we travel to spread our love for a Boyband.

A single mom with three kids

she needs a sanity break,

a friend to hitch a ride from.

No one should be left alone including I,

the unmarried, childless one.

Together, we will hit highways of places

we’ve never been.

Met as we both traveled alone to LA,

now we decided to never be alone.

We are each other’s company

making memories on the highways of music.

Laying on yoga mats

he strums and whistles

calls out to his ancestors.

I close my eyes hoping

my crush comes through.

Instead I see a beach

full of tiny sea turtles

over and over

with doubled rainbows.

Accept it’s his kid brother

and now I watch as he surfs

in El Salvador.

After this channeling ends,

the Shaman asks of our experiences.

Stephanie on the other side of the room

describes how she was a sea turtle swimming inside a funnel.

I smile knowing together we surfed with Tommy.

His son recites a script as he records.

The hilarity behind his phone

full of life and merriment.

A time where he seem happy

glee in belly laugh recorded on his IG.

This derision such an illusion now

four months since he passed away.

A jollity worth remembering

I watch it over and over

never grow tired of his snigger

his jest reminds me of his days

in Junior High caught him in trouble

snickering still

I’ll always remember him being a hoot.

“A memory ghost is a memory so strong, it’s left an invisible mark so it can never be forgotten.” Unknown

scents of cologne

deodorants

flowers

wood chipped bedding

gasoline

fire

rubs on your back

hugs from your father

someone else brushing your hair

shapes inside clouds

vibrant rainbow after Summer storm

a sunset

a flower

birds chirping

motorcycle engine racing

ice cream truck jiggling

landscaper leaf blower roaring

mom’s meatloaf

corned beef

Boo berry cereal

Dots candy

peppermint circles

rocky road ice cream

crunch of popcorn

sounds of voices long gone