I grew up in the city. That's what's I've always known. And just like I know the city. I'm learning more about you each day.

I  want to know you like I know the city. I want to walk along your streets. I want to know each story from each of your buildings. I want to know of the walls you build around you. I want to memorize the path to each of your corners.

The cracks in your sidewalks are the scars on your legs and I want to introduce myself to every single one of them

I want to dig deep into the crevices, into your history, into your foundations and see what cements you together and tears you down

I want to be the paint on your pedestrian lane. I want to be your stop sign. Cause you, you are my traffic light, telling me when to go... When to slow down... and when to stop...

I want to wrap my arms around you like rush hour traffic wraps around the city.

My heart rises along with each new skyscraper reaching for the stars.

But even if my heart soars up into the skies...even as each floor of each building has a different story to tell, It's not the buildings that make the city. It's the lights. And you...

You're the hole in the wall ramen restaurant that no one goes to but everyone secretly likes

You're the park I sit in to get my daily dose of vitamin d.

You're the rooftop of my apartment-- the only place in the city where  I actually know I really truly feel like me.

Your skin is the used bookstore where the history is not in the text but in the pages, and your voice is my favorite record store, because you tug at my heart strings when you say "i wanna hold your hand" --

It's such a comfort to know that there's a convenience store half a block from my apartment but more comforting to know you're right here with me

I grew up falling asleep to the roar of trucks rolling past my window --I can't sleep in quiet houses.
But Since I've heard you breathe--I can't be calmed by any other sound

And just as the street painter spends each day memorizing the ups and downs of the ever changing skyline of the city, I want to memorize your mind, your body, your soul.

I grew up in the city.
This city knows all the hardships that pass through. All the broken promises and the unfulfilled dreams.

But this city also knows of truth--Knows of hope...
This city...knows what love is.
It has experienced the greatest love stories heard and unheard of...