I spent this last week in paradise–Cancún, Mexico. Sunshine, palm trees, and the beautiful Caribbean all catering to my needs.
I’m sure you can understand my disappointment of having to come back; I’m currently writing this from the plane. I’m on my way back to Calgary right now, and I have to admit that I’m sort of devastated.
Nothing mattered when I was in Mexico because I left all of my baggage back home (except for my suitcase, of course). But this trip really did give me the opportunity to just forget about everyone and everything, at least for a little while. Since school has started, it’s been hard for me to find some relief from all of life’s anxieties. But during my visit, I think finally found some inner peace.
My main source of inspiration for the poem you’re about to read was something I heard someone say on the bus ride to our hotel the night we arrived. His name was Alejandro, and he was our tour guide. I wrote down what he said word for word: “In Mexico, nothing gets lost; they just find new owners.” Of course, when Alejandro said this, he was just joking around with us Canadians. He was talking about being cautious when it came to our cell phones, passports, tourist cards and any other valuable possessions we may have been carrying with us. To paraphrase, “If you lose any of these things, you’re screwed because they will have found a new owner–there is no chance of getting it back.”
However, me being the cynical person that I am, I interpreted what he said a little differently, a little more seriously. That is what this poem is about.
I, myself, didn’t get lost in Mexico. I’m still the same Jade, after all. But I do think my mind and my body both found a new owner–one that was able to find some happiness for a change. Now that I’m back home, I feel empty. Because now I’ve got to get back to the old grind, back to reality, one that isn’t always what I’d like it to be.
I think you’ll find that this poem is one of gratitude that I have for being able to take this trip, but also one of wistfulness; a hint of sadness now that it’s all over.
Without further ado, I give you “Nothing Gets Lost in Mexico”. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
They say that things don’t get lost in
Mexico;
they just find new owners.
I didn’t lose myself in
Mexico;
my mind just found a new owner–
a happier owner.
It’s hard to be sad
in a Place like this,
after all.
And I think it’s been a while
since I’ve been able to
fall in love with something, but
damn.
I have to admit that
I am quite smitten with
the dizzy palms and how they sway
when they’re drunk
from all the rum and tequila shots.
Or how the Sun kisses me
on these warm afternoons,
and this is coming from a girl
who has always preferred being pale.
But now, the idea of being tan,
of having the sky
leave lip prints on my skin,
doesn’t seem so awful.
There something so romantic
about it–
All of it.
Like sitting on the balcony
every morning, watching
the sky transform into a palette of
soft pinks and vibrant purples.
Or swimming in the pool at night,
eyes always looking up
because back home,
the stars don’t shine
the same way they do here.
Because here, there is no
light pollution.
Here, I can see the Big Dipper
without inhibition.
Here, Polaris winks at me playfully
and the moon smiles at me reassuringly.
Here, I am at peace.
Here, the sound of the waves
crashing against the shoreline
lulls me to sleep,
and the Ocean in all of Her
overwhelming beauty
teaches me to find solace
in the chaos.
This Place
has left its mark on me.
I have tried to return
the favour by making
my own mark,
but whenever I try
to leave my footprints
in the sand,
the tide washes them away.
I guess I was only meant to be here
for a little while, anyways.
Because today, I’ll be going
back home.
But I’ll be going back
with tanner skin,
sand in my eyelashes,
and a string of shells
around my wrist.
These things will remind me of
where my heart truly belongs.
*
They say that things don’t get lost in
Mexico;
they just find new owners.
I didn’t get lost in
Mexico;
I just found something new.
I found Happiness.
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