Some nights I can't sleep. Thankfully, this is now more the exception than the rule.
Last night, after all the lights were out, and all the cars were parked and the voices quiet, I went for a walk around my new neighborhood for the first time. I like walking at night. As much as I love the light, I feel more comfortable and confident at night.
I can take my time seeing whatever I want to see, without the suspicious or impatient eyes of all the others pushing at me. At nightfall everyone puts their lives away until tomorrow. I know this man has a beautiful Ford Galaxy hidden in his garage. I know this family grills food over charcoal almost every warm evening. These young men walk to eachother's houses to sit on porches and be defiant-looking. Only, this is all hidden away at night. Only, it somehow seems like I can still get to know them. He leaves the living room light on every night. Those people never use their air-conditioning. Occasional toys in the driveway. Here is another one who can't sleep, pacing through her rooms while the TV casts his outline on the curtains.
I move through the streets at my own speed. I touch nothing, I disturb nothing. Many times if a late driver turns my way, I'll slip around a corner, behind a tree, into concealment. Being picked out by those harsh beems spoils the magic, so I don't let it.
By the time I arrive back to my own quiet house with my own life locked away inside I have thought the things I would think all night- I have thought them away into the cool air, and they have been replaced by a calmness that while temporary will be long enough to let me lock my own life away for the night.
Last night, after all the lights were out, and all the cars were parked and the voices quiet, I went for a walk around my new neighborhood for the first time. I like walking at night. As much as I love the light, I feel more comfortable and confident at night.
I can take my time seeing whatever I want to see, without the suspicious or impatient eyes of all the others pushing at me. At nightfall everyone puts their lives away until tomorrow. I know this man has a beautiful Ford Galaxy hidden in his garage. I know this family grills food over charcoal almost every warm evening. These young men walk to eachother's houses to sit on porches and be defiant-looking. Only, this is all hidden away at night. Only, it somehow seems like I can still get to know them. He leaves the living room light on every night. Those people never use their air-conditioning. Occasional toys in the driveway. Here is another one who can't sleep, pacing through her rooms while the TV casts his outline on the curtains.
I move through the streets at my own speed. I touch nothing, I disturb nothing. Many times if a late driver turns my way, I'll slip around a corner, behind a tree, into concealment. Being picked out by those harsh beems spoils the magic, so I don't let it.
By the time I arrive back to my own quiet house with my own life locked away inside I have thought the things I would think all night- I have thought them away into the cool air, and they have been replaced by a calmness that while temporary will be long enough to let me lock my own life away for the night.
suispud1:
This is quite visual and interesting. I used to enjoy walking late at night myself, Can't say as I do it any more though. My neighborhood has changed. Less trusting, People don't know each other, nor do they seem to want to,