Ode to the City of Angels
I had planned to write something else for the first post of 2025 but the weight of the devastating fires in my hometown of Los Angeles called me here. It is difficult to put into words the devastation, heartbreak, and sadness consuming a city that is home to so many of us. I have not lived in LA for over a decade, but it is the city that will always be my homeplace. My heart hurts daily for all the people who lost houses, lives, memories, a sense of safety, and so much more.
LA is a complicated place. It exists somewhere between stardom and stardust, weaving dreams and illusions that can be beautiful and horrible all at once. Beautiful beaches and majestic mountains converge in an oasis pulsing with a landscape that gives just as much as it takes. Growing up, I swam in an ocean that tried to swallow me, stood on ground that shook, and never left the faucet running because there was always a drought.
And I met some of the most incredible people from all walks of life who taught me about community, reclaiming space, and living out loud. I swam in that same ocean when it held me, stood on the same ground that grew corn and sunflowers, and celebrated every time the aqueducts filled up.
It is a city that taught me about inequality. Behind the glitz and glamour are police who often harm first, ask questions later. A city with abundant wealth in a state that rejected a measure to abolish slavery and now forces incarcerated people to fight fires. It’s an easy city love, and it will leave a bitter taste in your mouth on some days.
And yet, in the devastation, we still reach for each other- through GoFundMe’s, mutual aid, and freedom funds. Through donations, showing up, checking in, witnessing, feeding, holding, and being with each other. There are no words that do justice to the loss, heartbreak, and grief hanging over Los Angeles. Period. And we are also witnessing tremendous outpourings of love and empathy that matters too. In times of crisis, we are often handed a mirror and LA is showing us the potential and capacity of the human spirit. As we navigate this era of polycrises, LA has a lot to teach us about showing up for each other during difficult times.
Ode to the City of Angels
To our city, dotted with palm trees and graced by golden rays of sunshine.
To watch you hurt takes my breath away,
The city that raised me.
We are a city of angels. You can see us everywhere if you are looking.
Reaching out to each other across the embers to find home in each other
Our hearts connected if we let them, our wings touching at their tips.
We’ve always been complex, always more than one thing.
Ours is a city where worlds collide- like oil and water sometimes, and other times a surf rock, hip hop, baile that moves your soul.
A city of contrasts with oaks and succulents, wealth and poverty, born out of simple pleasures and complicated desires.
To the Tongva and Chumash, and many, many more Native peoples whose land was stolen,
I am sorry. We built townhomes on sacred land and did not listen to your warnings and advice,
The future we survive must honor your sovereignty and wisdom.
And still we are a city of angels.
We may forget our wings sometimes but we understand the assignment:
To keep breathing into our 18 million dreams with all we’ve got.
This dream is a kaleidoscope, shifting with the tides,
A technicolor stage with a hologram of our former selves,
Reminding us that love is the answer.
To all of the angels,
Even though we are often separated by freeways and dollar signs,
We share the heart of a place that yearns,
Our outstretched arms reaching to the edges to hold so many truths.
Photo by the author in 2018
How to Contribute to Recovery from the LA Fires
Reach Out: Let people know you are thinking of them, ask what they need and provide it, support their requests (e.g. space to grieve, donations, finding a rental home, etc)
Contribute to a Go Fund Me Campaign: This is one of the most direct ways to support recovery. Many folks lost everything and need resources to rebuild their lives.
Mutual Aid: Mutual Aid LA is a fantastic resource. They are mobilizing people, resources, donations, volunteer opportunities, and more to support equitable recovery from the fires.
Healing: Support an organization offering free therapy, art, spa treatments, and healing for firefighters and victims of the fires. Check out and share this list of LA therapists providing pro bono services. Or if you own a business in the LA area who offers healing, consider adding your name to a list!
Support Incarcerated Firefighters: At least 30% of the firefighters battling LA fires are incarcerated people getting paid pennies to risk their lives. Donate to the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, advocate for AB 247- a bill to support fair wages for incarcerated firefighters.