Soaring in high above the concrete pathways, watching the devices of smoke and smog poison the skies. Cutting through toxic clouds of sulphur and ozone, always thinking that there will be a break soon in the stratasropolisstratosphere, allowing me to breathe and see again. To let the insects become once again, the natural prey of their airborne predators. Windswept and dizzying are my thoughts. My face hasone an absurd expression chiseled in, and my personality takes on a giddy nature. I never wanted to be here, but now that I’m here, I don’t want to leave.

Floating away and thinking I’m happy, but I’M not.

I’m dying.

• C.R.G.

Have you ever looked into a dream?

Used your eyes to try to see inside your mind?

I drift to sleep wondering what I might find.

Warm colors mixed with nothing, black. I’m forcing it; hold back.

Take a breath and hold it there. Now let it go and look again.

I’m ready to begin.

🖤