Moffat & Wilson/Trinity Cemetery
Moffat and Wilson is like a glimpse into old New York. Here you’ll find the Wilson Avenue L train entrance, nestled on the border of Trinity Cemetery. That would make waiting for a train at this station pretty creepy, but Trinity Cemetery has a dope history. Originally associated with a German Catholic parish in Williamsburg that was established in 1856 many of the graves there are marked by metal monuments. Metal was used because it was a material that was not associated with riches or poverty and was accessible to all. Distinctions between the rich and poor were not allowed in an effort to enforce equality in the afterlife. As the old saying goes, you can’t take the pollo (money) with you when you die. If you look into the cemetery, you can see many of the metal monuments and grave markers rusted with the passage of time and the continued braving of the elements, and some have sunken into the ground.
Playing with Numbers
by Flako
When I was 8 Nueva Yol was what I stared at Through the plane window.
Turning 9 was easy planning my birthday was hard.
Everyone I knew and love never got on the plane.
At the age of 10 I got cast in the school play The Wizard of Oz.
From Tin-man to Lollipop Guild
His English was perfect,
His Tin Man had a heart
Sin toke de lengua Latina.
By 11 I spoke perfect English.
Then I turn 12 and Curious George
And red strings was my world.
Testing the strength of that string was my 9-5...
Pliers, Notebooks, Toys, silverware…
You name it and I was putting it to the test!
At the age of 13 she made me my last birthday cake.
They never tasted the same.
Then 14 came an Payless Shoes store
Broke my heart for the last time.
Age 15 I had braces and glasses and had to take the train.
Guys should have a Sweet Sixteen
Maybe I would have never joined the black & gold brigade.
17 I was lost in a world of 360 degrees constitutions,
Latin Kings bylaws, Number 18: Your family comes second,
The Latin King Nation is first.
Theater betrayed the gang and control 19•20•21
Finding myself around Vegan Tofu Earl Grey Thespians
Hugging trees while mushrooms hug my Brooklyn darkness.
22 I accepted white people don't know everything although most claim to.
23 I swerved and evaporated into a cook pot, Pyrex, baking soda, Escobar flow
Which funded my 24-27 European Canadian swagg
Anne Frank's closet was painted white with blue trimmings,
Hitler would have been proud of that.
28 I reflected on all the broken hearts.
Melissa crushing mines,
Shei aborted without telling me.
I destroyed Helena.
She moved to Connecticut to be closer to me in Vermont.
Dipset was my ride or die true lover and friend
But you know the saying ‘you can't turn a hoe into a housewife’
I always try to break templates simply because love is beautiful.
Reina aka Helena's karma aka all my savings,
Ran over me and then threw salt on my wounds.
I still talk to her.
29 I found still waters in my storm.
30 I became about my community
When she at 10 thinks a gang is cool.
At 31 I found you but it was 2 soon again
Once upon a time I remember to love and keep loving because of you.
Now I welcome spring bouquets of crocus flowers, daffodils,
Sunflowers and precious tulips.
Then 32 withering pedals landed on my lap.
I new not how to water then.
Gathering pruning shears and hand trowel at 33 for my Jardin
When all was needed was agua to begin anew.
34 is cloudy with many droplets gathering to strike
Deny be me, deny by past immigrational traumas
It landed Thundering stealing thoughts to survive
At 35 my mother earth began shattering.
Watching her past daily, talking to gone branches
From the family tree. I act using the only skills I know
bringing to life Tia Akrosida Floribunda, Abuela Cóbana Negra,
Primo Coralillo, Tatarabuelo Lantana, Papa Cayena,
Lets not forget a su hermana Etela Morivivi.
36 characters and counting…
Not denying myself a visit.
I visit her for 30 minutes a day
su nieto Modesto, Mode, Modestito
de nine years old when she grab my hand
and help me on that plane.
I will never forget,
will never let her forget.
Cion Ma. I say
Dios Te Bendiga Mijo.
She replies