A Place to Return

by Aliza Susatijo

Santa Monica Pier, CA

warmth and sea salt,

 wind bringing the taste of the ocean to the tip of my tongue, children’s laughter and carnival music in my periphery,

 the scent of powdered sugar sprinkled on funnel cake wafting in the air, 

a place to feel the breeze

Los Angeles, CA

Stepping on the stars of those we see on screen, 

blending in with the millions yearning for their own star, searching for a dream, 

a place to feel the height of fame 

yet remain unknown

Bali, Indonesia

Fine sand between your fingers, 

markets bursting with fresh tropical fruit, 

a table on the beach serving flaky grilled fish, temples of ancient statues and history, connecting to something deeper than oneself, 

a place to immerse yourself in culture

Cape Charles, VA

collecting rocks to gather into shapes: a heart, a smile, a butterfly, 

sharing a pint of ice cream on the beach, 

mac and cheese in the middle of the night, 

karaoke until sunrise, 

a place to smile amongst friends

Dubai, UAE

sand blowing in the wind and tumbling into your hair,

watching the sunset on top of a dune,

 scarves and fire-lit braziers,

kneeling at low tables and cushions, 

the sleep creeps in as your eyelids droop and you feel the warmth of laughter, 

a place that feels like a film

Griffith Observatory, CA

the whole city bustles, 

but you are above that, 

there is no sound but the wind, 

in a moment you will rejoin the city and walk at its quick pace, 

but for now there is only the flickering lights and cold breeze of the mountains, 

a place to feel everything from a distance

Home

and once you have traveled all you can, 

seen every sight and tasted every cuisine,

 there is the final journey back,

 to understand that of all scenes, 

yours is filled with the beauty of familiarity and acceptance, 

a place to return