My Proud Home, Los Angeles
Read by the author: https://youtu.be/pNOSmpkTSws?si=B6LjowufsapO7jTy
Los Angeles, a city closest to my heart, a city that sings my spirit.
Sometimes I feel, the night of downtown LA is alive. It has an independent life power, with sentimental feelings and tolerance. I like to walk in it alone, embracing every layer of the night through every feeling of my soul. All of a sudden, all the ancient streets, halls, palm trees, they transcend their lifetime, vibrant, naughty, combined into me. When I stand still, in the middle of the thoughtful world, at the intersection of hustle and tranquility, I feel them inside me every step of the night. The skyscrapers are rooted in the deep, deep darkness, destined for the sky. Especially when they seem distant and unattainable, they touch me deeper and embrace me tighter. They are like those grand trees, absorbing carefree sunshine, and then releasing the energy of the day to the entire land.
I’m lucky to have a poetic heart linked to the core of the city. “LA trilogy” has forever ingrained the living heartbeat of the city in my life, and has forever ingrained me in the vast life span of the city. Lost, awaken, and arisen, this town has witnessed my growth and ambition, my identity and awareness. Feeling the “Bustling town with endless plights,” every pedestrian rushing to their dream, every resident of the road or the bridge, every lingering mind of the dark night, they are all connected with me, they are all part of me, because they are all part of this city. We rise together, and their plight is my plight. We, all humanity here, can share one destiny, can have one common dream: peace, unity, and care. Breezes bring the lingering echoes of MacArthur Park, dispersing them through the entire eventide: “When we are together \ Hope and peace singing in the air \ With all living things on the planet \ Desires for tomorrow are still here.”
Yes, it’s here, right here. This is everybody’s stage, a place for everyone. We all come from different corners of the world, each having our unique story of growing up from an innocent, pure-hearted child. Here, still here, stronger and stronger gusts of liberty and inclusivity caress each person’s face, year after year. These people, walking on the street, resting under the bridge, each of them has a unique story backstage. Their stories are what made this stage wonderful, what made every day hopeful. Whenever stars claim the sky, they may bring their new stories back, knowing this stage welcomes them with the sunshine anew tomorrow. Because when the sun sets, the rebellious charm of the city rises with moonlight.
The same sky covers every moment of connection, echoes of the starlight. Each layer above is homeomorphic to a very part of the land, reflecting its grass, trees, love, and hope. These elements, they are rising too, coming to life, coming to real. I always like to move forward along the streets of many, treading the next new path here. I look above, to the end of the sky, trying to locate a base point. I know, once it’s chosen, there will be a path overhead, as eternity. This is my chosen field, so I won’t quit. I’m willing to move on, step by step, till this unique eternity. Obstacles are around, but they give different paths up to homotopy, contributing great diversity to fundamental groups. Two diverse groups here must mean two diverse groups in a sheet of the sky. I love this diversity. I just do. So, no matter how many obstacles, no matter how hopeless things can be, the path under my feet, and the path above, although they never meet, I know, they’re both there, unique, guiding my way, dreaming of my ascension, and longing for my next return.
Los Angeles, a dreamy city for everyone, a future city of angels, I’m so proud of you, for every beat of your heart has been deeply connected with mine.
Ivan Z. F.
Jul 28, 2024
