Home

Long stretches of parallel roads
Wrap around my neck like
Scarves protecting-
And choking-
At the same time.
While winding
Binding
Blue lit bridges
Trap me

Forever, on this island
Made of serpentinite
And tanning booths.

Watching battles along
High Lands and Death Hills.
With Sir Richmond Avenue
Battling
Sir Richmond Road
For Victory over

Italian accents
Mixing with Russian
And Spanish.
Along beaches with more coke cans
Than sand.

And Orange Girls exposing
Their
Hot pink claws
Against the sharp needles
Those boys call hair.

And though we all vow
To take the long trip away
Staten Island
Will always be home.