Love Letter to My City
by Amber Wren
to the city I ran away to
whose coordinates have a permanent place on my arm & heart
to the doorman of someone else’s building
who knows me by name and smiles and waves when I pass by
to the smile of a stranger
when I’ve had a bad day
to the Irish Pub
where I had my first drink on my 21st birthday
to the Thai restaurant around the corner
whose staff are slightly scandalized when I don’t order my regular meal
to the cute barista who draws a heart on my coffee cup
to the route 7 bus driver
who says be safe when I step off
to Rittenhouse Square
the countless hours spent reading, people watching, composing poems in my head
to the pink petals swirling in the late spring breeze
to the bike messenger at the park I exchange a few words with
who leaves, only to return with gelato for us both
to the first girl I ever kissed
to the last girl I kissed
under an umbrella in the rain
to the neighbor I slip a handwritten note to
who lets me take cuttings from their window box, since I asked so nicely
to the tiny apartment
the first place I’ve truly felt home
to the street art that boldly declares
you belong here
Amber Wren (they/them) is a bisexual nonbinary neurodivergent writer and artist who has never made a decision in their life. They hold an AA from the Community College of Philadelphia. Wren’s work has been published by Bullshit Lit, fifth wheel press, The Sunlight Press, and Imposter Lit, among others. They are passionate about queer art & literature, gardening, slow fashion, bees, and dessert. Find them most places @AMBERWRENWRITES.