LA CASITA ON WESTBORO DRIVE
By Jasmine (Azul) Sanchez
Mi Profesora asked, “Where is home?”
And I began to reminisce
I lived half of my life on the WestSide with my mom but that side was “nice” and non-threatening
The other half was lived on Westboro Drive on the East Side with Apa
I like to think that is where mi corazon de nopal is because that is where mi gente esta
Mi comunidad
El barrio
I grew up with pan del Pink Elephant in my tummy
I listened to the oldies bumpin’ out of lowriders every Cinco de Mayo
And it’s at La Tropicana where I got my first ever set of long, hot-pink, acrylic nails
That’s when I started to feel like a true Chicana
I would spend most of my days cruising with Apa all throughout el East Side
Que fruta de aquí, y tacos de aya.
But now I cruise through these familiar streets alone.
Apa on his 12th year of serving time
I yearn for his return, to our casita, to our carefree past
So I will wait.
For that day of blissful return.
We will drive down Story and King in his troquita
And be united again.
Mi Papa, el East Side, y yo.
