Cool spring air against my face and slowly crawling through my zip-up. Low rumbles of mixers toiling away. The barely audible humming of government water being created.

Monsters! Crackling and banging like enormous chain-link devils waking up in their ivory tower breaking the monotony. It last but seconds and they drift back to sleep.

Frogs crying out for late-night fuck buddies.

The city sleeps.
Not me.
No sleep tonight.
That comes once the new day greets us with warm sunshine and melting dew drops.

It’s peaceful now.
Alone is calming.
Until it’s not.
Until They come back around.
They are not welcome here, yet make Themselves at home.
I didn’t even see Them arrive. I just turned around and there They are. Taunting me. Urging me.
They come to claim Their nightly prize.

I don’t let Them win.
Tonight I use you as my shield and sword.
You keep me company and force Them to retreat and regroup until tomorrow.
We’ve been here before, You and I.
This is familiar territory for us.
Battle scars – deep wounds fortuned to remain as non-visible reminders of what once was and could never be.
Together we resist.