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