“Instead,she's as stillas a leaf-littered pond,dark water evaporating,waiting desperately for rain.”

“I want out of this place.With no reminders."It stings -sulphur tearsin cinnamon rain.”

“Then she smiles, like it'sthe first time she's seen sunafter a decade of winters.”

“She's never sure,never knows,never goes.”

“The telly is invadedby hallelujah channelsand informercials,both trying to selleverything neededto save you.”

“They scribble on notepads,the sound of their pensscratching the judgemental air.”

“I walk the city, through its crush of people and its smells:body odour, rotting food, vomit and urine. A cocktail of oppression and freedom.”