15 Stories to Freedom
Amanda McPherson

“We could do it,”
She says,
Exhaling the smoke that had
Pooled in her lungs.
“It would be quick.”

We are leaning on the railing of her roof
Discussing
Capitalism, democracy, and failure.

“We could jump,
Escape the cycle.”
Looking down for a moment at pedestrians and bikes
Moving around the city-
Ants with distinct purposes.
I watched her raise her hand to her lips,
A motion perfected with practice.
I watched
Her thumb gently ashing
Before passing it to me.

I take a second before responding.
“We’d have to jump head first”
To make sure it worked.
But what about the guy who has to scrape us up?”

So instead of
Jumping
Or thinking too hard
About the implication of us wanting to
Jump,
We hop on the Metro
Racing to Chinatown
Dreaming of dumplings
Bursting on tongues.

“Damn munchies,”
She says with a smile,
But I could still see the free fall in her eyes.