I’ve been in so long that I almost forgot what fresh air feels like. I can barely recall how my skin shines every time the sun lays its eyes upon it. 

How my heart jumps for joy when I hear the birds sing. How my eyes with excitement glitter to see the leaves rejoice.

Today I’ve decided to recognize my body’s interaction with my indoor and outdoor environment. There were some litters lying around the house, so I gathered them in one place and disposed of them. Then I walked majestically to my front door and sat upon the edges of one of the bricks and inhaled some refreshing air.

Coming through the door, I couldn’t help but notice a new bike under the stairs. A thousand thoughts filled my head. I stood there contemplating if I should take one of the small bikes, and learn to ride it. But then again it’s not mine, and that would be illegal. And the last thing I wanted was to get in trouble at that particular time of the day. So I threw all those thoughts out the door. 

The parlour was a mess, newspapers flying around. I could smell dad’s socks from afar, cushions fighting for space on the floor and chairs filled with books instead of humans, remotes calling out my name, teasing with me in every way. 

I couldn’t handle the tension, so I ran into my bedroom. The room was stuffy. I opened the window, sitting on the edge of the bed, trying to concentrate for at least a minute but I couldn’t.

All I could hear was tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock, for the house was as quiet as a grave. No music, no radio, no TV, no phones ringing or notifications. I instantly had a migraine. Felt my feet slowly turned ice cold, as the brisking air flowed in.

Outside

Out here in the open. I feel like a bird. For the first time in a long time the sound of engines roaring felt reviving. 

I could feel the sun, falling upon my skin, as the wind ripples through my clothes, birds chirping, bicycle clinking, bees buzzing, and adults smoking.

Houses decorated with the love of spring, different types of flowers all around. Now it seems as if there are more bicycles on the roads in contrast to cars, fluffy dogs wagging their tails as they passed by. 

However, I can feel the loneliness of the empty streets.

By Benjaminah Palmer