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Toxic City

December 2, 2009
By CaseyLeigh PLATINUM, Moraga, California
More by this author
CaseyLeigh PLATINUM, Moraga, California
31 articles 6 photos 137 comments

Favorite Quote:
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to.

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Fire escapes dangle precariously
off the corner of buildings,
leering over my head as I amble with my daughter
in the city that is now home.

Previously, home was suburbia:
cool blue skies and houses perfectly aligned.
Today, home is wherever my job takes me.

A man blows a puff of dingy grey smoke
that swirls, wafting over the nose and mouth of my daughter.
She turns to me, small hand in mine.
“Mommy,” she cries, “I can’t breathe here!”

© Jennifer P., Massapequa Park, NY

The author's comments:
This is a fictional piece inspired by a trip to New York--I love the city, but it's just not for me!
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