A Moment on the platform in Shanghai

I am in the elevator. The foyer is empty. It is 5: 45am. I am wheeling my suitcase. Now I am on the street and it is the quietest I have ever seen it. The sun is still a thought in the sky. The buildings are long, their shadows still short. I am not thinking of this. I am not thinking of anything except the subway I have to reach. My hands are shaking. No one is awake. The entire world is sleeping. Everyone, including the cleaner ahead of me, sweeping the sidewalk. The city is huge. It engulfs me. I stand at the platform. I wait. I think I am praying.

I am wearing my hiking boots - everything will be okay.