NEW DAY

And the light changed

and we crossed the street

even though there were no cars racing through the post-wee-hour darkness.

We walked slowly, dazedly

as if in a dream.

We trod softly in the predawn

caressing the pavement with our rubber soles

quietly heading east.

And the light began to glow beyond the horizon

and the day began to brighten

and our heads, filled with mist and myth and the dirt and darkness of another New York night

seemed clear and free in a way we hadn't known since we'd last seen sun.

And the people rose up

and the city woke up

and the sun came up

and we saw the world engulfed in the subtle flame

it always experiences

daily.

And it was chilly

and moist

but getting warmer and drier

and we saw the river turn to fire

and, nodding to one another

we turned tail and headed west

all agreeing that there would never be another sunrise like this one.