Free

There are boats sailing far off to my left and a harbor with even more to my right.

The skyscrapers that hold the identity of Chicago within them are straight ahead.

A Great Lake glitters at my feet.

People mill around, holding hands and walking dogs.

A guy sitting twenty feet away seems to be meditating. He has a film camera just like mine.

I rest my head on the concrete behind me and take it all in. I’d bask in this moment for a lifetime if I could.

Eventually, I’ll stand up and walk back to my apartment, passing the harbor and the pond. I’ll say goodbye to the city (just for today) and retreat into my little studio.

Hopefully I’ll be able to redirect the lonely thoughts that have begun to haunt me there, and I’ll ignore the feelings of defeat that lay beside me on the couch.

Here, in this moment – by the sailboats and the harbor and the Great Lake and the city and the people and their dogs – I’m free.