“This city chuckles This city mourns A constant tide of emotions Screaming, Questioning Demanding With a fierceness sensed deep in its sewers The tremors felt even by its capital fortress And made louder by its smallest inhabitants Sparked lovingly by the first embrace of family The small trusting hands the wrinkled knowing hands the warm comforting hands Carried with morning empanadas y café Digested over pollo con arroz y jugo Savoured with the fresh smell of pan dulce Hardened by the diminishing light, the smell of urine; pollution, mishaps and disaster Its cutting edges are felt deep by the slightest blunder, a tragic misfortune The malice of its tenacity a constant companion Making it almost impossible to let go, to trust in life To give a free smile or a warm nod to a stranger And yet Breathing in its vibrant streets full of brandished and blossoming houses With countless bustling boutiques, sassy stands, spirited songs and wee wonders With abundantly raw sanctuaries This city still shelters its humanity This city still defends its right to live”
