A September Day in New York

On a sunny September day I walk along the crowded streets of Little Italy.  It is the Feast of San Gennaro and the crush of people almost make it impossible to walk.  The barrage of scents attack my nose – fresh tomatoes, sausages, cheese, baked goods, and even seafood  I gingerly walk by tiny dining tables set on the sidewalks by cafes where people sip wine and dine on Italian dishes.  I keep it light with a cold lemonade and a slice of delicious New York style pizza.  I watch the colorful floats ride down the parade route under a gorgeous sky.  I am happy to spend a day in the city, but still thinking it would be better with some company.

narrow city streets

expand to hold immense crowds

under the blue sky

"San Gennaro Festival Parade" 9/17/16

Photo by Arcadia Maria

All Rights Reserved.

- Written for dVerse Halibun Monday #23 - contemporary cityscape

Moving Day

It had just turned summer when I moved into my first apartment.  My dad and I carried packed boxes up two flights of stairs, because I wanted a second floor apartment with a balcony. (My dad was thankful I had the new sofa delivered by the furniture store).  Mom came later with my brother to help unpack the few dishes and items I had to fill my studio apartment.  I’m not certain my brother truly understood what was going on – it was just a new place for him to explore with his eyes.  When night fall came, I hugged my parents before they departed, leaving me all alone.  At that moment I felt like a bird spreading its wing to leave the nest for the first time.  I climbed into my bed when the realization truly hit me – I was now on my own.

under the June sun

little bird departs the nest

trying out her wings

- Written for dVerse Halibun Monday: Winds of Change.

a kiss under the night sky

We were both young and inexperienced tweens.  Yet chemistry and hormones drew us together over a summer weekend.  The last night we lounged under the night sky, sharing a first kiss.  It was the first time I ever kissed a boy, though I believe it wasn’t your first time kissing a girl.  I can still remember your lips upon mine – warm, soft, wet.  My naivety slowly melted under the July moon with you.  I wish we could have stayed in that moment – frozen in time - oblivious to all that will come in the future.

the night stars twinkles

as they dance around the moon

to sensual beats

- Written for dVerse Halibun Monday - Twinkle, twinkle

a goodbye under blue skies

Photo taken 8/10/16 by Arcadia Maria.  All rights reserved.

“a goodbye under blue skies”

I don’t remember how the clouds looked that day.  What I do remember is standing beneath blue skies with the June sun on my skin.  My young mind trying hard to grasp the heaviness of the occasion.  Grand-mom wept into her handkerchief as grand-pop held her.  Mom had her arms wrapped around dad with a solemn face.  So many relatives were gathered around the open grave, where you will lay until the end of time.  The preacher said his solemn words of comfort and we all left flowers for you as a token of our love.  We then departed that place, to get back to piecing our lives back together.  But for me, it would be some time before I fully understood what happened.  I had never lost an uncle before so it was all new to me.  After all these years I have not forgotten you.  For every Spring, I visit your grave along with grand-mom and grand-pop, under blue skies.  I still cannot believe it’s been twenty nine years since you been gone.

white clouds and blue skies

try to wipe away our tears

with help from the sun

- Written for dVerse Halibun Monday: The Sky is the Limit.  We were tasked to write a halibun poem about the day sky.  I'm not sure what came over me when I read this prompt, but I decided to revisit a memory I had of my uncle's funeral.  I was only eight years old when he died in a car accident, but I have fond memories of him from when I was very little.  This is for you, uncle Evan.