Ready to Go

Another heat wave rolls across the coastline, drowns the city in impossible humidity, turns every step into a treacle. I trek through the boroughs but none offer reprieve -- every subway platform is a battle against time, against your lungs giving out, against retaining the last scraps of dry fabric against your pulsating skin. Leave the two foot radius of each room's air conditioning unit and instantly be transported to a tropical wonderland. 

I walked down 108th tonight and the air smelled of warm, wet grass. It smelled of summer vacation and back to school supplies, those last free August nights sleeping on your neighbor's trampoline and looking at the stars. It's all you can think of these days, some nostalgic freedom and senses overwhelmed with life.

There is never time to be overwhelmed anymore. To be alone, lonely, scared, to long for something until it ached in your chest, to lie sleepless in anticipation. I wrap myself in security blankets and wandering daydreams about things that really shouldn't be at all. It passes the time, sure. 

But is passing time what you meant to do with your life?