a poem for each person who made an imprint on my August 2025 while in Miami

Impromptu “Lyft” Driver

Timidly, I accepted your offer with suspicion
My imagination convinced me my vacation would be short-lived

With worry, I expressed a change of plans
I perceived disappointment and expected retaliation

So we brace ourselves.

But no, there was none to be found
Instead, gentleness

Where was the entitlement
The undercurrent of anger
I anticipated pressure

There was none

Simply reassurance and acquiescence
So I waited
And so did you

Within those minutes the tension grew
I began to doubt what I should do

Skepticism melted to comfort
Realizing safety was with you

Moments passed and my assigned arrived
Instant relief,
A pinch of disappointment as you followed my eyes

Swiftly, you were curbside
Making your presence known

Sparing mine, he employed strength
Bags gathered and door opened

“Take care of her”
“Let me know if you need me”

And just like that
I missed a stranger

Fellow Concert Goer

i was determined to be alone
not that i had a choice

i was determined to be comfortable
with my company and compromise
don’t compare me

i’m here now
did i mentioned alone?

time passed, now i’m surrounded

blinders on and i’ll focus on the beat
so much to see around me

light play, leaves sway,
heyyy DJ!

straight faced
i’ll lock my eyes on you
not the duos, nor the trios

i’m alone, don’t look at me
administer this courtesy

*tap tap*
uh oh, i’ve been perceived
Are you here for Chet?
i blinked twice in disbelief

God bless the fearless ones
be it pretend or authentically so

He sent you my way
to comfort my soul

the sparks in life
are few and far between

thank You for sending someone
who made me feel seen

The Unexpected Balm

Not the ride I was expecting
One question, now reminiscing

Why are you that way?

Not you just asking me this question but
now i want to ask you!

What is it that you love to do?
redirect me to my passion
life is lifeless without this fuel to action

Have you forgiven him?
I have no idea, but I won’t forgive you if you make me cry in this back seat
I’M ON VACATION

How can you affirm me whilst digging deep in my mind?
get out of there! Wait no. Stay…
just not that corner of my brain.

A father figure for forty minutes
No internal fight with this familiarity
a flight for this nonfiction?
no friction

you are welcomed here