mornings & self portraits

as the sun rises on the house of sun

7:50 a.m.

while I can’t speak for the first and third, the second floor of helios is home to early risers.

I find myself awake in room K, only minutes before room J’s alarm goes off for her regular shift at the bakery.

I can hear laughter from junebug and her lovebird in room F while I brush my teeth.

room L rarely stays the night, but if you sit by her door (which doesn’t close properly) it may slowly swing open to reveal a vanity of delicate perfumes beside a small, yet mighty, liquor stand. 

I study at the desk by the window. across the street, windows on high-rises reflect pink as the sun begins to rise.

Room L’s tenant returns and closes her door behind her. I scratch in arabic homework corrections as the slight sweet smell of a morning bake escapes from under L’s locked door.

the rest goes out her window, which shares the view of the high-rises, now colored a bright yellow.

I consider yoga on the roof. but I think about the mosque right across the street in plain sight. and I think of falling.

I take to the kitchen. lovebird makes breakfast for her other. she’s a master cook, really. if I’m lucky I’ll be offered a bite.

from the basement stairs emerges A, from room A, into our industrial-style kitchen. I hope my six a.m. load of laundry didn’t disturb her. I watch her make coffee with maple syrup and espresso. she might fry something on the stove.

the symphony of sounds from the house crescendos as the rest awake. I walk my quarter mile to class.

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canon delivered my flash last week & i’ve been experimenting with self portraits. happy new year :—)