I'll shine like a glimmer on the river
The one you see on the freeway
as you pass El Monte
Where the homeless linger in the bushes
Their tents nestled and tucked away
It doesn’t obscure the serenity
Of lush green and running
water flowing over, smoothing rocks
I told my dad one day that I'd like to visit there
"Why"? He asked.
I knew why he asked.
"The fish there are polluted."
I shrugged. "Its pretty. I've always wanted to go."
I starred as we passed it by
I never saw it as dirty
It kept me company
on the bus ride down to Long Beach
As I stole a dazed and groggy glance at it
Through the scratched up windows
Every morning at 8am
I wouldn't close my eyes fully
until we had made it by
I grew up in a small town not far from it
I never got to visit while I lived there
It was the secret oasis that was always
Just beyond reach
It made it into my stories
Crystal clear in a beautiful world
that didn't seem so dark at the time
I loved my home
Close to the running water
Coming back brings me closer
To a place that wasn't so perfect
But still kept on flourishing
In my years away I ran towards
what I thought was the ebb and flow
of the glistening crystal
I was blinded by lightning in the stormy sky
There was only a few
lovely raindrops along the way
I found a part of me somewhere
In the eye of the storm
It'll always remain beating in me
Wherever I shall go
Though I'll keep looking towards the river
Right next to the freeways edge
I'll hold onto what makes it real
Remembering how it glimmers under the sun
My little oasis close to home