Collecting awareness

Pausing for the flowers along the sidewalk in San Jose

I collect dust on my eyelashes, sun beams through the windows and snapshots of flowers.
I collect deep breaths, flights of fancy and too many doubts.
I collect songs that change my pulse with the first chord.

I collect library cards and fines, headbutts from cats in the neighborhood and stamps on my passport.
I collect Spanish vocabulary; today's is the hummingbird - el colibrí o el chupamiel.
I collect flat bike tires, vegetarian restaurant recommendations and board games.

Shadow against the painted crosswalk in San Jose

I collect sunny days spent walking through street fairs.
I collect creases in my forehead and lines along my smiles.
I collect moments, memories, surprises, glimpses.

I collect the light and shadows.