Central Park, My Playground

A young girl from Queens,
Central Park was my playground.
E, F, and R trains, with direct routes to Midtown,
placing you at the entrance or within walking distance.

Climbing up and down monstrous rocks and boulders,
quite a feat for a child-
Rollerblading on paved park streets of concrete,
swerving in and out of big orange cones.

During four years at Fordham University –
my alma a few blocks away, at Lincoln Center.
Central Park was my campus

Walking through the park with
Friends, family, and lovers.
Walking through the park to work,
Part-time gig a few blocks away on
5th Avenue.

Central Park reminds me of my youth,
of my young adulthood,
of my strong connection to the New York
that raised me.

Shot by me in Central Park, New York