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The city cannot sleep
Yellow taxis honk
Restaurants and Broadway shows
Lights block out the stars

Fifth floor walkup
Children in the hall
Unfamiliar cooking smells
Dogs going off for an evening walk

Home from the city
Relief from the noise
Chinese take out
Shared with my old cat

I hear my neighbors
A comforting sound
Community and individual
Held between these walls

My bed is soft
It welcomes me
To sleep and dream
Of snow and rain