I closed my eyes
Felt the crowd brush past me
One small figure among thousands
Blond hair reflecting off the cab wheels
The only grass that can be found
Are the plastic blades in the display windows
Even neighbors pass as strangers
Strange place, city so immense,
Its inhabitants alone
Shiny new pennies
Lay forgotten in the cracks of the sidewalk
Left by a beggar who walked away in his Nikes
I closed my eyes
Heard the unhurried drawl of southerners
Life moving slowly, taking its time
Grits and okra sizzling in frying pans
My fingertips felt the sharp needles of pine trees
The wind rushing past me taking my breath
Sand hiding between my toes
Ocean chasing after my feet
The sun beating on my back as I swam against the current
I closed my eyes
Yearning to be a child again
Dreams of Chicago pizza and Alabama hurricanes.