Dear New York City

Dear New York City,

I don’t know what it is

That makes me love it so much

Maybe it’s the buildings

That stretch towards the sky

Forever reaching upwards

Or maybe it’s the noises and the lights

Each one belongs to somebody

The light of the car is for the girl

Who just had her first date

The light from the window is for the manager

Who hates staying up late but loves the job

The laughter of the friends

The horns of people with places to be

Maybe it’s the diversity

Everyone is their own person

Different faces, styles, personalities

Everyone is on their own path

And yet they still connect

They connect when they share a seat

On the subway

Or in line for pizza

I don’t know what it is

But I do know that

The tall buildings feel like a home

I never knew I had

I know that

The lights and noises

Comfort me 

Despite the unfamiliarity

I know that

Every person interests me

And I want to know

What it’s like to lead their life

I know that

Surrounded by chaos

I feel a sense of peace

A sense of longing

To be able to hold on to that feeling

Forever

I know that

When I leave

The buildings

The noises and lights

The people

Fill my dreams

And I dream that

One day

The home I didn’t know existed

Becomes the home I live in

Sincerely,

The girl from a little town in the middle of nowhere