The City at Night

Jacinth Banite

Drizzle-drops smeared on the glistening road Clamoring engines derange the restless highway Headlights beam at the back of lining cars Drivers roll their necks while they wait for the green light Hands hover on the clutch as they chase golden hour

Puddles catch drifting tires, splashes blend with rags that children wear Feet shifting to wait on the side of the pedestrian lane Some of them washed, some of them stained While the sunset marks the end of the day, City lights persuade different beginnings

Stiletto steps echo around, running after the fading instant Ladies turn their heads as they wait for their bus Hugging their bags, or holding their lovers’ hands Crowds race to the supper served at home Braving the dwindling safety that comes with sunset

Carts are leaving the sidewalks Vendors pick coins among candies and cigarettes Restobars on the rented pavement are awake Glass doors glare with blinding lights, While lullabies play from distant houses

A medley of disco scream into the silence of dusk Streets try to sleep while the night relishes its life Fancy as the glitter that covers the lips of evening’s goddess Glowing in the alley of gents with their dashing suit and tie Selling a porcelain skin, a penny in exchange for her kiss

The dawn hides the lingering shadows of the wind Silhouettes straggle in empty spaces, waiting for a prey The right hand is clenched while the left holds a dagger A cast in his face, a blanket of uncertain escapes Hiding the façade that only the dark can witness

As daylight dwindles, some depart from their haven While there are those who race back to a soothing laze Others put on their masks, and some bare their faces The night is a solace for the brave, a risk for the careless Indeed, a transient empire for the evil soul

The city at night is like a thief during the day Certainly vulnerable but crawling with secrets It glares at people, hunts for those unguarded Yet, with the lingering peril and lies that owls hide The city still looks much more interesting at night