The waters of the East River were blue, bluer than I'd ever let myself expect, bluer than the sky today.
The sight of the lights and shadows Swimming over the passengers wasn't something I'd known I was missing.
A few uncharacteristic craning necks; I wasn't the only one Newly displaced from below-ground.
Outside, It was bright enough to color-blind; The view from the window For one moment Rendered a monochrome tableau Of New York's industrial past.
Then the red brick buildings, Precarious window units and Makeshift curtains of every color.
Between these- Between these-- Heart-stopping views of Sun-washed streets like rivers, The sunroofs and food carts Glinting like silver scales In the early evening glare.
Each time I surged forward, Gripped the overhead pole convulsively, Drank in that view As greedily as anything;
I'd never loved the city Like I loved it from fifty feet up.
And the walk home was Novel from the west; Suddenly the sidewalks ramble-wide, Suddenly the parks, Suddenly the people.
A block from my apartment, A teenager looped his finger Through the dangling handle Of my grocery bag as we passed- Pulled gently, Not tugging away, Leading me into a turn.
We were facing each other then, Even as our feet carried us in different directions; "Can't I take you out?"
His youth and my mood made it charming- His wide eyes and narrow shoulders Held none of the threat That comes with a man's stature- And I couldn't help But soften the no with a smile Before carrying on Towards home.