Roseland” and “Through My Eyes” Djuana Florez

“Roseland” and “Through My Eyes”

Djuana Florez

Roseland

Welcome to the land of roses, where you’ll find historic buildings and Old Fashion Donuts You’ll find abandoned storefronts and nowhere to buy groceries You’ll hear loud music at night and birds chirping in morning You’ll find black owned barber shops and foreign owned beauty supply stores. In Roseland, you may turn foreclosed houses into homes You may have noisy neighbors who become extended family They might cut your grass when you’re away, while the city neglects the vacant lots filled with trash and over-grown grass. In Roseland you’ll find a water slide at the park and a liquor store on the corner You’ll find hardworking people and home-based businesses In Roseland you’ll find real people with real lives, real struggles and lots of love. You may not always see roses in Roseland, But you will damn sure see flowers if you take your shades off.

-DJ

Through my eyes

Chicago looks like Icee cups and flamin’ hots. Hot pickles with peppermint sticks. Street corn. Get’n dunked in Lake Michigan at South Shore beach “Hot dog” double swinging in the park with cousins Coolin’ off In water from an open fire hydrant. Chicago looks like Roller skating in the living room on Christmas day. Snow angels and fire crackers in the back yards of Altgeld Gardens. Back yard barbecues and line dances. The electric slide. Footwork. Planting flowers in Englewood and seeing them Blooming in Roseland. Eating dry choke sandwiches followed by chocolate milk at the community summer program. Chicago looks like The Taste of Chicago. Lake front. Buckingham fountain. Heavy traffic and skyscrapers. The Art Institute. Chicago Architecture Center. Sears Tower. Summertime Chi. Festivals and movies in the park. Harolds Chicken Shack. Mild sauce. Riding the “L” Double dutch and duck duck goose Chicago looks like Street slang and street swag. Extended hood family. Political corruption and dirty cops. Street fellas who showed respect and made sure I make it home safe. Chicago is as real as it comes. Through my eyes, Chicago is home.