one gloomy morning in my neighborhood made me feel something

The cold sheets, children’s laughs, and vehicle noises woke me up on a gloomy morning. Our window was half-open, giving me a glimpse of the view outside from my bed. Still groggy, I decided to open my laptop and scroll around my social media accounts. It feels great chilling in the morning, with the cold breeze passing by, but my body feels warm, and the people outside are having fun despite the dim weather. It actually looks like heavy rain was coming. I went along with my day and did my usual routine. My feet draw me down the sidewalk on the way to the nearest 7/11 around the neighborhood. I decided to grab a snack, for I know that this day will be a long day.

I went back home and felt relaxed while writing down poems as the rain started to pour. The children outside began to scream because of the heavy rain, but their voices aren’t irritating. It was a scream filled with fun and memories. I’ve always thought that I am an outcast from this neighborhood. I was like a tree planted here because I’ve been here ever since, but I felt like I’m not ‘in’ within our community. But then it hit me. I started to think that maybe things have changed, and I got older. It’s not just rainbows and butterflies like the kids. Remember, I’m just like a tree planted. I grew up. I still remember spending a big part of my childhood in our neighborhood trying to interact with other kids. It was a hard but fun experience that I’ll never forget, even though I somehow lost connection to them, to the place. There are times wherein I lost interest in the place where I considered paradise. Maybe it’s unfortunate, but it’s okay because at least I still got those memories that I will always cherish.

That one gloomy day, I’ll never forget what my neighborhood made me realize. We’re in the middle of a pandemic, and this isolation is eating everyone up but seeing some of the kids having fun outside, wearing their face masks as the rain continues to pour down together with its cold zephyr made me feel belong. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who felt that because seeing the people watching the kids as well are reminiscing, making us feel what it’s like to be a kid again, filled with innocence, and delight. It made me yearn for childhood in where I’ll find joy even in the smallest things.

It was just a typical day in our neighborhood, but the environment was filled with laughter, love, and energy despite the weather and our current situation. I can proudly say that my neighborhood is a place for growth. I shouldn’t feel bad even though I grew apart, and I shouldn’t surround myself with boundaries to limit myself to the outside world, building up and developing out.

Our closed doors and windows block us from experiencing the beauty and greatness of the sky above and the freshened air carried with a nostalgic breeze. Though it may feel odd, it offers life and a place for the soul to grow openly. Just like my neighborhood who once made me feel like an outcast, I opened my doors to see what kind of person I will become.