April 29, 2025
 |  28 Comments

The city wakes before we do— sirens in the distance, 
a cab splashing through last night’s rain, 
and someone shouting just to be heard. 

The coffee shop hums like a low conversation. 
Steam curls from paper cups
as feet tap and lights change, 
we pass each other
on sidewalks, eyes forward, 
shoulders brushing stories we’ll never hear. 

Pigeons fight over crumbs, buses sigh at every stop. 
Above it all,
windows blink in office towers where
someone stares out wishing they were anywhere else. 

Lunch smells like hot pretzels, spilled soda, 
and too many people with nowhere to sit. 
But then— 
a group of people burst into laughter,
the sun catches a rooftop just right, and
music leaks from a passing car. 

And somehow, that’s enough to carry us through the noise. 

 

 

 

 

Photo credits: Pinterest

Kim is our lovely hostess on dVerse where she invites us to hook others
with our opening line. Come join us! 💙

Posted for Poetics: Getting hooked on opening lines @dVerse Poets Pub