One Heart, Two Countries by Dr. Willy Roque

One Heart, Two Countries

There, fresh coffee beans. Here, my back and bag of nostalgia. There, my mom’s tears. Here, my father’s pride.

There, the roots of my being. Here, the same tree in autumn, winter and spring. There, an honest hug. Here, academic ambition.

There, my nonna’s pesto. Here, the cash register. There, a city with no space or time. Here, eternal caffeine.

There, where the torch was lit. Here, my pocket and a lighter. There, the houses in rubble. Here, concrete and wood.

There, unscalable wall. Here, steel columns.

Here, my culture’s passion Here, with me, my people and their history Their history and empathy, Their empathy and warm arms, Their warm arms and ambition, Their ambition.

Here, the light.