A Map of Who We Are

[Verse 1] He chalks a border by the bus-stop turn, A blue heron lifting from a painted fern. Kids bring names for the river he’s never seen, Old mr. reyes picks a shade of green. By noon the block has gathered in a row, Each one with a small piece they want to show. [Pre-Chorus] A wall that held the dust and passing years Starts telling all our stories loud and clear. [Chorus] We turn these walls into a place to belong, Every bright mark says, “you’re part of the song.” From the corner store to the schoolyard gate, We leave a little color for the next one to make. When the whole block comes out to see, This town looks more like you and me. [Verse 2] Auntie luz paints marigolds beside the train, The twins make paper kites that climb the grain. A drummer sketches rhythms in a band of red, A little girl adds planets overhead. He steps back while the afternoon moves through, And finds a hundred hands inside the blue. [Pre-Chorus] No grand unveiling, no velvet rope, Just neighbors trading brushes, plans, and hope. [Chorus] We turn these walls into a place to belong, Every bright mark says, “you’re part of the song.” From the corner store to the schoolyard gate, We leave a little color for the next one to make. When the whole block comes out to see, This town looks more like you and me. [Bridge] He thought he’d come to give the street a face, Then watched the street give every face its place. A thousand little choices, side by side, A map of who we are, too wide to hide. [Final chorus] We turn these walls into a place to belong, Every bright mark says, “you’re part of the song.” From the corner store to the schoolyard gate, We leave a little color for the next one to make. When the whole block comes out to see, This town looks more like you and me. [Outro] By the bus-stop turn, fresh colors meet, And tomorrow’s got a place on this street.