cramped legs and dull eyes sunny afternoon across the city grass is warm but deceptively so surprising wind moving falling leaves autumn in a conurbation but there are few trees and only small patches of grass a small dog passes by it terrifies me because all dogs are terrifying and its eyes suggest violence on the city streets, people look at me with powerful eyes as they pass by with suits and intimidating looks at the zebra crossing belisha beacons flash forever angry motorists stop I safely reach the other side feel out of my place while the flashing lights seem celestial like angels visiting from heaven to help us all sweaty feet in cheap trainers heat reflected off the pavement striding to the rhythm of headphones too many buses on Oxford Road too many shoppers on Deansgate head towards Oldham Street visit the record shops browse for hours buy German techno and admire the facades of Victorian buildings at the Whitworth art gallery a giant canvas depicts abstract battle in Italy 1944 oil on canvas tanks crossing the river take up almost a whole wall I view an exhibition about death full of skeletons and sickles walk back onto the street realising my fatigue head for a bus stop catch the 42 it will take me away for less than a pound