Love Poem: Home Collaberation With Silent One
Akkina Downing  Avatar
Written by: Akkina Downing

Home Collaberation With Silent One

Standing in the heart of this city
in awe of spectacular lights illuminating tall buildings.
Millions of strangers rush to and fro.
Who would've thought I would be here of all places.

But here I am feeling misplaced
in a place where no one knows your name. 

I fasten the winter coat tight 
to keep my heart wrapped warm,
because this city of strangers is so cold.
People wandering like bad actors struggling 
to play their part with faces lacking expression.

Concrete towers seem to imprison me
in a place my soul does not belong.
I walk the same path monotonously,
wondering where it all went wrong.

But here I am feeling lost and alone .
I'm smiling but only to keep the dancing tears at bay.

I can't be someone who I'm not,
nobody seems to appreciate that I'm misunderstood. 

And the dream that brought me here today,
now wants me to return home.

As my naked breath freezes in the air,
for a moment tired eyes close.
A smile sneaks through reminiscing Chamorro dreams.
Bathing under a blazing sun whose rays 
glow through clear azure skies.
Crystal sapphire seas invite my soul
to immerse in tranquil waves,
peacefully admiring pestrel and
shearwater birds soaring high above.

I can almost hear warblers chirping melodic songs 
of home, perched on a parade of paipai and coconut trees.
Scents of colourful plumeria and hibiscus petals 
draw my senses closer to my heart's province.

Old foot prints have now washed away.
How I long to walk on sands of my forefathers,
where loved ones await with open arms.

A major honor to collaborate with Silent One 

             12 January 2018