How To Watch the Stars From Inside the City
1. First, walk out of class. Notice the group of acquaintances who are talking amongst themselves, waiting for you (though you didn't sit near them). Watch as the scenester girl interrupts the smooth movement of headphones to ears to invite you to see the Hermit Thrushes tonight. Make a non-commital noise, and suggest that you "might have work, but could make it." Walk away.
2. Walk back to your dorm room, and lean quietly against the bookshelves. It's 5:30, so savor the silence. You're the only one home on the floor.
3. Walk to Gowanus with your hands shoved deep into coat pockets to avoid the cold. Walk towards the Bell House, and listen to the eschewescheweschew of the crowd inside. Is it - do you really want - but That Girl might be there - I don't know - light beautiful on the river - coffee, yes coffee - walk away.
4. Sit on the bench outside the pizzeria, pull out Ashenden. Smell the air. Breathe for a minute. It's crisp, isn't it? Cool and clear without the colloidal oil of the daytime city. Read and, oh, is it 9:30 already? It's probably pointless to go back, the band will be on and look up.
4. Open your eyes. Wider. There's always that one red star that you can see, downtown, and it's right overhead. Are there any others? The constellations I memorized back home have been reduced to this one point. Sitting sole in the black sky surrounded by space.
5. Smile.
6. Walk home.
1. First, walk out of class. Notice the group of acquaintances who are talking amongst themselves, waiting for you (though you didn't sit near them). Watch as the scenester girl interrupts the smooth movement of headphones to ears to invite you to see the Hermit Thrushes tonight. Make a non-commital noise, and suggest that you "might have work, but could make it." Walk away.
2. Walk back to your dorm room, and lean quietly against the bookshelves. It's 5:30, so savor the silence. You're the only one home on the floor.
3. Walk to Gowanus with your hands shoved deep into coat pockets to avoid the cold. Walk towards the Bell House, and listen to the eschewescheweschew of the crowd inside. Is it - do you really want - but That Girl might be there - I don't know - light beautiful on the river - coffee, yes coffee - walk away.
4. Sit on the bench outside the pizzeria, pull out Ashenden. Smell the air. Breathe for a minute. It's crisp, isn't it? Cool and clear without the colloidal oil of the daytime city. Read and, oh, is it 9:30 already? It's probably pointless to go back, the band will be on and look up.
4. Open your eyes. Wider. There's always that one red star that you can see, downtown, and it's right overhead. Are there any others? The constellations I memorized back home have been reduced to this one point. Sitting sole in the black sky surrounded by space.
5. Smile.
6. Walk home.