The Endless City

“It may look like steel and concrete to you, but it’s living and breathing,” said Mr. Richards as he rested his arms on the guardrails.

“What? How can a city breathe, dad? That’s just silly,” retorted Arnold as he jumped up and down to get a better view.

Mr. Richard and his son stood like ants on the giant red bridge, peering out across the sea towards the great city. Ferries, large freight vessels, and the occasional crazy wind surfer passed under them. The wind whipping their hair this way and that as they sat, taking in the view.

“You never know a place until you’ve lived there. And here, well this one’s got to know me just as much as I’ve got to know it,” spoke Mr. Richard as he stared endlessly into space.

“What are you talking about?” came his son’s response.

“The City. Home.”

“....................”

“Sitting here, looking at it, you could never imagine it could ever bite back.”

“Now the city is biting and breathing?”

Sigh... "Just enjoy the view, son.”

Inspired by Luke Lasley’s Photograph, The Endless City

When I Sit With You...

Everything is all right.

           

My World

This is my world. This is my home. This is how I see things.

And you don’t understand me. You don’t know who I really am.

You don’t get me.

But someone does, someone will, eventually.

I’ve got some great ideas in here, but no one can see them.

Well, not yet, anyway.

People are just too caught up in all the busyness.

They don’t take the time to stop and see what others think.

They don’t see it.

I’ve got some of the most amazing wonders in my world.

I’m just waiting for someone to come and look inside it,

And see my home.

I’ve got unicorns and butterflies all caught up in here.

But, I also have deep thoughts and prayers.

All of it is in me.

I just want someone to take a quick peek inside.

To look past my shell and view me as whom I really am.

I want someone to see me.

“This Is My Jam!”

The bass is pumpin’.

The beat is droppin’.

Hands up in the air, reaching for the ceiling.

Party! I’ll dance all night long!

~~~

The soft melodies resonate across the theater.

His right hand moves back and forth, back and forth.

Rain drops. Over and over again.

Eyes closed. I hope it never ends.

~~~

My feet are stomping on the hard wood floor.

My hands are syncopating with the spoon man.

The man walks up and starts plucking away.

It’s getting rowdy. I can’t help but sing.

~~~

The bass walks up and down.

The sax trio bursts forth.

She’s screaming. We’re getting into it.

Hmmm, what’s the word? Oh, right, groovy.

“Sigh…”

 Long arching ripples flowed out across the pond as a small toad landed on the large, green lily pad. Puddlegum sat lazily on the shore with his pole pointed up towards the sun. The small red buoy on his line rose and fell as the ripples passed under it. Far off two birds were singing each other a love song as they gathered sticks for their new family’s nest.

The tall and lean figure of Puddlegum breathed deeply as he lay with his back against a fallen log. He scratched his yellow, leathery skin as a large mosquito alighted on his arm. He pulled down the wide-brimmed hat that he wore, shading his face from the scorching sun. Soon he began dropping in and out of sleep.

The clouds made their way westwards across the endless blue sky and the moon peeked its face over the mountaintops. The sun slowly ventured further and further to the west.

Puddlegum opened his narrow eyes and pulled back his straw hat as a short tug came on the line. He rose to secure his catch, but presently his line went limp and he went back to his restful position. Puddlegum let out a deep breath as he sat back against the downed tree. 

Sand and Dirt

 It’s what we eat. It’s our breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Because, when we’re playing, it’s just the earth, the sky, and us. We leave it all behind and now we’re in our own world. This is the land where imagination is the king of the hill. We think it and it’s there. Fighting dragons, having a tea party, why not do both at once?

            So, why don’t you just relax, sit down and have a bite to eat. You’re old, but we don’t care. Everyone is kid, they just forget sometimes. Come on, we can climb through the tangled forest and pretend to get lost. Let’s have an adventure. Life will carry on; right now we’re in our world. I’ll race you up the hill.