Paris,France

I spent five days in Paris this past May, and I can wholeheartedly say that I left a piece of my heart there among the cobblestone streets and breathtaking views. During my brief sojourn, I encountered some of the most extraordinary individuals, immersing myself in a tapestry of romance and magnificent architecture that will forever linger in my mind like a beautiful dream. Each museum I wandered through revealed artworks that stirred my soul, so beautiful that they could bring tears to even the most unseeing eye. With a heart full of yearning, I know I will undoubtedly return to Paris to revel in its wonders a million more times.

The vibrant queer scene in Paris embraced me with an unmistakable sense of safety and acceptance. Coming from the United States, especially a state where understanding is scarce, it can be incredibly challenging to find spaces that feel welcoming. It was profoundly refreshing to be in a city bustling with fellow queer souls, all so eager to engage with a lost American searching for connection.

I found myself in parks composing poems that captured the effortless sense of belonging I felt in such a breathtaking city. Though there were countless souls I never encountered in Paris, I was blessed to meet a precious few, and I find immense joy in having shared moments of life with them, however fleeting they may have been. Although my time in this magical city was all too brief, I could easily envision spending eternity there, enveloped in its charm.

Let us not take for granted the beauty that surrounds us; for someone else, it could represent the entire world, even while it may seem like just a walk to work for you. Embrace the wonder, for it holds the power to transform the ordinary into something profoundly extraordinary.