Lately I’ve had a feeling
I owe Florida
an apology full of flowers
Specifically Orlando
Where I took my first breath
Otown and I have been long friends
Though I’ll admit,
I haven’t always appreciated this
26 year friendship with my hometown,
“Boring”
According to visitors from other states
Or natives that have felt tethered
Just like me
But Orlando thrives on local
Connections,
Between those who share
This slice of sunshine as
Home
Now I see it
The community is big
The buzz is little
It’s the little things that matter most
And you can find these moments in
The little big city
I’m still afraid of alligators
But I sit on my lawn chair on the lake
My kayak
And I watch the Sun
Disappear slowly
I paddle backwards
so I can keep my eyes
on the bright golden star
Snake birds slither in the water
Hunting fish
Just like the men we love
Who cast out their dummy frogs
Crossing their fingers
They’ll get to kiss a bass
My ears scan for birds
Like Bluetooth pairing with a speaker
I want to hear a canary
Sing this season’s tune
Did you know
Over 40 peacocks live on that island
Kinky peacocks with long gala gowns
made of feathers,
Turquoise like Clearwater Beach
Beautiful patterns like stained glass windows
They holler at each other all day
My sister mocks their mating calls
Which they immediately echo back
We’re like kids again playing outside
It makes us cackle
Lately I’ve had a feeling
A magnetic pull
Like I dropped myself as a pin
To the city beautiful
Found freedom under my feet
I praise the Palm trees
And the oak trees
Even though they make me
Sneeze every spring
I’m grateful
For the wilderness
Nature calls,
and sunny days
The wind whips the lake at Mizell
A boat full of laughter jets by
Sending swirls of waves our way
Making our hips sway up and down
My fingers find balance in the sky
And I could make this moment last forever if I want
We’ll stay frozen
Like a postcard
Watching the Florida sun
Because this is what it feels like to
Make peace with the sunshine state
