New York I am scared to love you.
You show me glimpses:
The way the birds flutter in the sky,
the little pockets of green space,
the overpriced coffee with an
upcharge for oat milk –
But New York you also give
me so much fear:
How do I navigate the subway?
Am I going to flunk out of Columbia?
Why does no grocery store sell snap peas?
New York a part of me loves
the call of adventure you bring
with an outstretched hand,
And a part of me wants to lock
my front door and never leave
my apartment ever again.
But New York what if I love you?
Beyond the rumination, the fear,
there is so much adventure
to be had –
I want to frolic through Morningside Park,
to study social work in the Columbia library –
I want to take you by the hand, New York,
and run wild with you through the streets –
I want to know in my bones that I’m doing
everything I ever wanted to do here,
and I want to do it with you.
I know it’s only been one week but
New York I am starting to love you,
and I’m not running away.