It’s coming full circle.

13 years later I end up back at the first destination that ignited my passion for travel.

It is here that I married my young 16 year old heart to Picasso’s Guernica and vowed to return.

It had embodied for me then and it embodies in my memory now – the full exploration and acknowledgement of my presence in España. A country I’ve loved and longed for over and over again as a child.

But now I am here in the museum.

My heart is beating rapidly.

I have loved you and missed you for so long. Will you remember me? Will you feel the same spark, Guernica?

I am inching around corners.

Looking at your other cousins.

Afraid that our love may be over. Afraid to turn the corner and find you suddenly. My heart not yet prepared. You looking away, maybe into another young soul.

As I wonder I get reacquainted with some of my old flames.

Massanet and Miró – who have served me well as youthful replacements for your wonder. Their colors drawing me into youthful orgasm.

I remembering how I met you the first time, Guernica.

I was unknowingly passing a massive canvas surrounded by silent, longing faces.  My curiously propelled me. I opened my eyes and there I saw you. At first, it was just a glimpse really. You stood behind or in front of the room filled with other pictures of war and human destruction. Perhaps. Perhaps it was intentional.  My glimpse pulled my feet to you and I could not move. My entire time allocated in the museum was given to you. My young heart exploded.

13 years later. I am back again. Near this same corner…..

I glimpse and quickly turn away… hoping you would not recognize me and feel rejected.

I am back, Guernica. I’m too excited.  First I must walk with sweaty hands away from you.  Continue to look at the photos of España’s time in its great wars to fully understand you again.

I am filled with sorrow. We have failed you Guernica. We have failed to stop war. Failed.

I turn my heavy heart back to you. I need you to fill me. Then I see you again.

Hours later, in complete silence, I must have looked at you from 3, or maybe 4 different and new angles. People racing, coming, and going around me as my silence looms and my love for you overflows.

In the end… after so long, I know… I still love you Guernica. You are still my favorite.