To Franklin who lived by Manhattan Heights

To Franklin who lived by Manhattan Heights

It’s 6:50am

& the outside is wrapped in a shadow

As cold drops trail on the car’s window

I get ready for school while everyone sleeps

7:15am and the sun begins to rise, Franklin has awakened

Always there, reminding me that I’m alive

Let him be the last image I see before I die.

I have lived beside Franklin

On Altura street all my life

Which would be Heights street in English,

My neighborhood is Manhattan Heights

Which can relate to the mountain’s height

Strange how it all connects back to Franklin

The Mountains

Growing up beside them

Has taught me about my heritage

& continually remind me of who I am

Mexican-Americans is usually what you will find

Since we are border with Juarez Chihuahua

We can share our cultures

As they embrace Thanksgiving

& we embrace Day of the Dead

I love the people here because we are friendly and kind

Always offering a helping hand

Embracing you as if you were one of their “tribe”

For this reason I’ve decided

I want to dedicate my life

To the people of the nine one five

Our community always as warm as our sun

With the mountains on the horizon

& the clock hitting 6:30pm

nothing will top the sunsets and the colors on the sky

It’s 8:30pm

There I see the star on top of Franklin

I know where home stands

At the Franklin Mountains