EMPTY STREET

Today seems to be the finished of the day. At least, that’s what the gloom that had just begun to spread all around suggested. And for God knows why, I decided to wander the dark streets of the city. I wandered through the places I knew so well. Without giving it much thought. At the end of each street, I turned alternately left or right. I was crossing roads and passing parks. Lost in my own thoughts, I didn’t even notice that the streetlights were already on. These ones just look like snowflake flowers to me. But these are much bigger. They’re leaning over the road as if they’re trying to keep an eye on it. I looked at them for a while, and then I just crossed on to the next one and continued, on my way.

I continued to get lost in my thoughts, not trying to think of anything important. Images of the last few days popped into my mind, and I almost stumbled. It was as if there was some strange force trying to stop me. Right here, right now. I stopped right there and looked around. There was nothing special here. There were houses all around me, just like on the streets somewhere behind me. There was a small bench nearby. It was lonely, just like I was right now. So I just sat on it. Nothing had changed, we were still lonely. It was just two of us now.

Some people walked past me. There’s a light on up there in that attic room. A few stars had just come out in the dark sky, trying to shine, but there were too few. Their light was too weak, and on top of that, it was drowned out by that of the streets and the lighted windows of the houses. Hardly anyone could notice them. So I just watched them for a while. Alone with my restless thoughts. What do you think they’re trying to tell me? And so I preferred to close my eyes. Maybe, or certainly, I was trying to delve into the core of my soul. My journey with no destination, why did I embark on it in the first place and why did I choose to stop right here and now? After all, apart from the grey bench, there was nothing special here. Yet I felt I was supposed to be here right now.

The minutes passed, but I didn’t notice the time. I opened my eyes, and perhaps out of habit, I took a deep breath. I was beginning to feel cold as if I had just woken up from some strange dream, but I didn’t pay attention. I should go back. I had no idea what part of the city I was in. I didn’t recognize it. Probably because I hadn’t been here in a while and city life can go by fast sometimes. Or maybe I just didn’t want to try to recognize it in the dark. I glanced at the opposite rooftops of the houses, perhaps looking for the one that held its secrets. The window that hides her smile and shining eyes. What is she doing now?

The church bell just struck eleven p.m. 

(20.03.2024)