What Los Angeles Taught Me

“Remember to lock the door when you go inside; don’t go outside when the night smells of sulfur and the sirens are too close; in order to traverse this place, read; don’t read for too long, or you might miss this place; don’t love for too long, or you might be caught unaware; don’t be aware for too long, or you might fall in love; when the bus stops and you need to get to school and you have no money, sneak in the back; when you're on the bus and the men start fighting over a seat, sneak out the back; don’t leave the oven on for too long, or it might explode; don't leave things unsaid for too long, or they might kill, like people do; don’t act weak, or they’ll jump you; don’t act tough, or they’ll jump you; when you’re terrified and the world begins to seep in between the creases of your breaths, you’ll find god. The secret is, you’ll be terrified despite god.”