my grandmother made a road map
printed it and tied it to the seat in front of mine
yarn a clip board and pen

i sat quietly- a six year old
tracing the milestones as we passed
toll roads
mcdonalds
rest stops
finally
gary
skyway bridge
navy pier
museum of science and industry
shed
buildings of metal and glass
i traced it all the way to-

chicago-
you will make it here one day

the city sang to me
a connection too intense
my childhood brain
decided- this
must be
love

wandering the city
my tiny hand in my grandmothers
my eyes memorizing every angle
hoping, fearlessly, that it's promise was true.
and someday

It will be the hand of freedom and opportunity
life and love and chaos
Chicago will reach out to me
and without any doubt
i will take it's hand
and follow