Week 12: Memories in the City

I was born and raise in Los Angeles. I have lived here all my life; never been out of the SoCal area before, though I wish to do so one day. It has always been my dream to go out and explore places, such as Seattle, San Francisco, New York, to name a few. I know I will visit these places, eventually. It's just... Los Angeles is my heart and soul. I'm sure I will feel homesick. I would miss viewing the skyscrapers from Downtown, feeling the warm sun, and visiting the classic SoCal beaches.

Speaking of skyscrapers, for this week's practice, I visited the OUE Skyspace in DTLA with a good buddy of mine. Fun fact: if you go there for the first time, you will get a discount for your ticket, which is around $25; we only paid $18 each. We parked pretty far, but it's funny because I remember the parking spot we ended up choosing. If you've seen my black-and-white film photos, you'll notice some are in a parking lot, with a trailer-type mobile. We parked in that same area. My buddy and I wanted to capture the city of Angels, but wanted to go on a tall building. We ended up going to the Skyspace.

As you move up to the highest floor where you can see the whole city, you'll run into artpieces and items that define Los Angeles. For instance, we saw Phillip Rivers' and Todd Gurley's jerseys, since both their teams are currently here in LA (Chargers and Rams).

Once we moved to the tallest floor, that's when I began writing on my journal. I wrote about my desire to travel, but still feeling homesick. I also wrote how LA has been a place where I experienced trial and error, but also positive events. That's why I keep referring to LA as "The city of Angels and Demons." After examining the view from where I was at, I was at awe at the beauty of the city I grew up in. It's just bittersweet for me to go away for maybe a week or two to encounter a different city. This is the place where my family and friends live. This is where I study and work.

While writing the poems and capturing the images, I considered how these memories in the city has impacted me. You are witnessing my mind throughout my time in the skyscraper and in downtown.

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Do Not Look Down

Please, do not look down

at the deep, luminous hole.

Look at what's ahead.

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Wings: Response to Isaiah 40:31

I have my wings, but

cannot soar like an eagle.

Weary and fainted,

I stay on the ground.

Colored wings but cannot fly.

I shall only walk.

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One allyway we passed through on the way to Skyspace

Seek and Find

I seek to find the tall skyscraper -

the perfect viewpoint of the Big Orange.

I saw the dry alleyway by the major

towers. A dead end and a boring

pathway. Like a grave, the alley is lifeless.

No living soul would dare to journey through

the dull, narrow lane. I became depressed;

this pathway may be my only way to you.

Though, I remained in my lane to seek and find

Maybe you will appear just in time.

I am still seeking to find the high-rise.

Oh tower. I have been looking for you.

Raise me so high that I can touch the sky.

But, you told me to walk through this alley.

Darker than the one before, I felt fear,

since black paths can drastically change me.

Going through another remained unclear

to me, but I took a leap of faith

to seek and find my glorious days.

I seek and have found the highest peak

you can reach. I saw the metropolis

area, where I took my very first breath.

The city where I encountered angels

but have fought against treacherous demons.

I can feel the soft, cool breeze in my skin.

My eyes squint over the glaring, warm sun.

I see every high rise on the horizon.

Highways. Mountains, matching with the blue skies.

I can see where my heart and soul resides.

My memories - light and darkness. My home.

I passed through alleyways and bumpy roads

for you to show me the bigger picture.

Skyscraper, thank you for reminding me

the bright, blue skies will remain where I belong.