The gentle patter of the coffee brewing in the bathroom brings back the days of getting up at six am for school. But thankfully, I am not there, back in Babylon. I am here. In London. The city of new beginnings. My city.

Cold and brisk on an August morning, the conurbation turns and tumbles with the early dawning of another day. I peer out the towering balcony to see the early risers and cold commuters scurrying like ants down below.

Inspiring.
As I stretch up, shaking the yawns out of my bones, I look over to see the peaceful sleeping forms of my brother, mother, and father. While my gaze wanders out through the window once again, soft light breaks through the glass, casting a luminous shadow behind me. I have to go see the sunrise.

When else will I have this opportunity? My parents would simply never agree to get up and go, so with a surge of adrenaline I slip into the bathroom to change. I emerge dressed, holding a mug of the sweet black London coffee, filling me with irreplaceable warmth. As I take a sip of the steaming black liquid, I slither out, hoping to be un-noticed.

Yes!

The hand-crafted, wood paneled elevators hold intricate designs. Swirls dance across the sides and there are dappled shadows strewn throughout the mahogany. The chime of the elevator pulls me from my thoughts. Without the fear of waking my parents, I easily walk across the lobby, nodding to the tall friendly doorman who, as all English people, offers up a polite greeting. His kind and soothing voice reminds me of my dear grandfathers, who I miss dearly. The words he utters are simple, and most likely rehearsed, but they are kind to me despite that fact. I push through the front door, and onto the bustling streets of the city.

My City.

In the early morning hours, the brisk air swoops down the streets as if it were a wild horse. Peering around the lovely architecture around me, the beginning rudiments of a sunrise ascend out from behind the building. While making my way around the parish, I notice the looming shadows disappear to show me the thrilling and captivating sunrise.

I breathe peace.

While I dawdle around a newfound park, the pale pinks and luminous blues of the new day’s dawning stops my heart. As I stand to watch the iridescent sunrise slowly fade away, I think that this is truly where I want to be.

Here. Now. In paradise.

It’s eleven o’clock at night, and I’m studying ferociously for my first chemistry test. I’m perched against the bed on the floor, my books and papers all spread out around me. As I move to find a new highlighter to replace the burnt-out one, I come face to face to with a picture. A memory.
It’s London.
It’s that sunrise.


All of a sudden, I’m back in that park.
In my city.