City of Quiet

The streets are pale like faded ink

Windows blink but they don’t think

A cat slips past

Its shadow thin

The air hangs heavy

Thick as sin

The city sleeps

But I don’t

The city sleeps

But I won’t

Every light a secret tone

The city sleeps

But I don’t

Clock hands crawl

A silent dance

Neon flickers

A passing glance

Rain taps soft on concrete bones

Every drop hums quiet tones

I listen close

I count the beats

Of empty roads and empty streets

The city sleeps

But I don’t

The city sleeps

But I won’t

Every light a secret tone

The city sleeps

But I don’t

Echoes rise from subway caves

Whispers of the ones who stayed

Dreams unravel

Thread by thread

While I keep watch

Awake instead