Week 8: The City on a Hill

You are a city on a hill. Ever since I was like 10 years old, I heard that saying all the time. At times, I was not sure what that truly meant in my life. That was until I began to appreciate my city... the place I grew up in.

Los Angeles, CA: a city that features Hollywood and the nice beaches. There's also places like Compton, South Central (my hometown), or Watts, where some people avoid it like the plague; some residents hope to move out soon. At night, DTLA is one of the most eye-catchy locations, where you can visit spots like the Urban lights. Meanwhile, on the other side of downtown, there is Skid Row, which looks nowhere as nice (or safe) as say Grand Park. On one side of Los Angeles, there's Laguna Beach, where it looks very clean and lovely for the whole family (and believe me; I have seen the place myself). Then, on the other side, like the area where I grew up, you will easily spot crack roads, pollution, drugs, or violence (well, it has been calm recently). Let’s not forget the recent issues Los Angeles (or even California) has gone through: the drought and those wildfires. So, in LA, there's the good, the bad, and the ugly... and I'm sure you can catch the good, the bad, and the ugly in any city you are aware of.

Hilltop Park is (you guessed it) a park where you drive up a hill. There, if you face North (somewhere north-west), you can see DTLA. But then, if you look more closely, you’ll notice the Compton Courthouse. If you face back south, you can see the beach. 20 minutes from Hilltop Park, you get to Seal Beach. If you’re a sucker for ocean views like me, you’ll love it. Just don’t look to the right (west)… you’ll notice the factories, working around the clock. The smoke makes the view a bit messy for me.

A city has many flaws and can go through tough circumstances (watch the news and you’ll see what I mean). But a city also has positive things. I think this is what being a city on a hill means. I have so many flaws and have gone through trials. However, deep down, I remember who I am as a person and my values.

While writing, I was more invested in the haiku format. With that, rather than the trend of three haikus and one free-verse poem, I decided to write one poem, which is basically a collection of haikus. I analyzed the places and spots I noticed while at Hilltop Park.

---

Middle: DTLA; Look left and you will see Compton Courthouse

South side: beach

Skyline Drive

The City of Angels and Demons

Hey Los Angeles:

the city of Angels with

demons around you.

Your site is filled with

charming oceans, though the drought

dehydrated you.

On the horizon,

mountains appear! The same ones

were almost burned down

by the wild fires,

and you feared the flames would strike

right at the heart of

SoCal's most known town.

All your guests visit Hilltop

Park to bear witness

LA's beaches and

city lights, though if they dive

in deeper, they will

notice Compton, Watts,

South Central, the projects, drugs,

Skid Row, pollution.

Hey Los Angeles!

Have you forgotten your name?

Your identity?

Do you remember

the Watts Riots or wish to

bury the ugly?

Remember the wild

fires when the clouds fade to

reveal the mountains.

Eight long, heavy years...

Never forget the years you

were dehydrated.

LA, rejoice your

fabulous beaches. Also

recognize your faults.