Nighttime.

Cloudy sky.

I’m in the backsit of this bus.

The Smiths on my headphones.

Crusing under the street lights.

Observing what’s outside the window,

while it bleeds raindrops.

I alawys find myself getting lost on my thoughts,

in regards to what I see,

as I go through the darkening city, 

I look at the apartment buildings.

The windows.

I always wonder about what’s happening inside them.

Who lives there ?

For how many years,

have you been eating,

and sleeping,

and shitting,

and fucking,

inside those walls ? 

Sometimes I get a glance of someone,

inside those windows.

Who are you ?

What do you do for a living ?

Who is waiting for you in bed ?

Who do you wish was waiting for you in bed ?

Sometimes I see families.

Are they a happy one ?

Or a disfunctional one ?

Rich or poor ?

Do the parents love each other ?

Is your son gay and terrified of coming out ?

Is your daughter getting bullied at school because she’s fat ?

Hope not, she seems nice. 

I also look at the people walking the streets.

Where are you going ?

Where are you coming from ?

Are you two a couple ? Really ?

Go figure.

Uh you had a rough day at work. 

A lady closing up the shop, I wonder if she makes enough money.

Oh he looks shady,

definately doing some bad things tonight.

Just humans going through their days,

their lives,

as we all do.

I look at the restaurants.

Cafes.

Bars.

So many narratives. 

Is that the first date ? I know you’re nervous man, but I can tell she likes you, trust me.

Having dinner with your father ? Oh you got the job, he must be proud. For how many years you

girls haven’t seen each other ?

Reunion vibe. Watchout for the tequila shots in a few hours.

Why are you eating alone ? Pleasure or loneliness ?

How many beers have you guys already drunk ?

I wish I heard the joke they were laughing about.

Back to the windows.

How many fights are happening inside them ?

What movies are being watched ?

What bad news are being given ?

How many orgasms are filling those rooms simultaneously ?

How many people are giving their last breath in their beds ?

What delicious meals are coming out of the ovens ?

Just in this building I’m passing by,

there’s probably more than 20 distinct spaces,

that people call ”home”.

How crazy is that ? 

What paintings are hanging on your walls ?

Are you the huge tv type ?

What’s your home smell ? They all got one.

Windows are like screens.

But you only get to watch them for a second.

Just a glimpse. 

A glimpse of a woman

Are you a lawyer ?

Are you a kindergarden teacher ?

Do you work at the museum ?

I can’t tell.

You’re wearing pajamas.

Another window.

Another glance.

A man in a trench coat.

Always suspicious.

Are you a politician ?

Finance ?

A serial killer ? Fuck, did you just killed somebody ?

Well, probably not.

Just a guy who like trench coats. 

One more window.

This time an old man.

He’s alone.

He looks sad.

So… you already lost your wife, han ?

I’m so sorry.

I hope you have a dog. 

Makes me wonder man…

So much diversity,

of generations,

of people,

of stages in life,

of social class,

of race,

of journeys. 

So many stories,

so similar and so different from each other.

All happening at this very moment.

I wish I knew them all.

But on the other hand,

I also love the fact that I’ll never know for sure their ending.

They just live on my mind forever,

as I saw them for that second. 

Sometimes I ask myself :

Who am I for them,

when it’s me that’s inside the window or

walking up the street ?

Who knows. 

I can’t understand how people are hypnotized on their shiny

screens all the time,

during these bus rides.

Just take a look outside for once.

You might learn something.

It’s so real out there. 

You’ll realize that,

deep down,

we are all the same. 

Humans trying to survive.

Doing our best.

Trying to find love.

Trying to do something meaningful.

Trying to take care of our loved ones.

Trying to overcome our obstacles and disappointments.

Trying. 

If you watch the people outside,

some having a good day,

some having a bad day,

you’ll see a bit of yourself in everyone of them.

And maybe, just maybe,

Life will make a little more sense then.

Shit, this is my stop.

I wonder what are the stories waiting for me the next time.

Can’t wait.