Orange Groves

I went for a walk;

like stepping on home base
knowing you're safe

as soon as my foot hit the block
I felt it.

There was where I crashed my bike
and didn't even cry
and got one of my favorite scars

There's the house of that neighbor boy
I remember his front door
I wonder how he's turned out.

And there, my first friend lived there
I remember how it smelled
and her abuelita's smile

We all swore that house was haunted
but it had the best shade tree

I grew into a mighty pine in the mountains
but my roots are here in the orange groves.