The intense smell of urine shoots up my nose
paralyzing my senses
Flinching, I look down
the cracked sidewalk is a patchwork of black gum pounded into the pavement
smeared brown outlines of footprints
and cracks that swallow stilettos
I can see why visitors may be turned off
why they may see the hustle on street corners
the homeless slumped on the side of the building
and think
Why would anyone live here?!
I continue down Spring Street
soy latte in hand
expertly made in Spring for Coffee
and look up
I absorb the energy of parents pushing kids in their strollers
Hipsters mulling over a trip to Joshua tree
someone out for their morning jog
and old man on a walker asking for directions
I take a deep breath and exhale a loud sigh
which surprises the woman next to me
on her way to work
I smile sheepishly
and she returns the smile as she crosses the street
I sip on my coffee
as I now smile at everyone walking towards me
Not a large smile
Just a nice face saying
Good day
The Spring Arcade building has changed dramatically since I last visited
a large outpost of Guisados commanding great real estate
two artisan bakeries
A juicery
and the same ugly yellow paint on the walls
Some things never change, even when you want them to
I walk back to the office
sticky with sweat
but full of hope
This place has the feeling of potential
waiting to explode
Creating
discovering
Always Being
Against a backdrop of desperation and sadness
a city thrives
It gently sweeps its locks aside
revealing a weathered face
looking in a mirror
full of once youthful beauty
still holding the satisfaction of irreplaceable memories and
the knowing that tomorrow will always bring more
This place has been through a lot
and it speaks to me
Feeds who I am
and I am temporarily satiated
Susana Benavidez 