Sounds of the City

The pulsing hum of motors; the sharp beep of a pedestrian walk light. A harmonious cacophony of sounds flows onto my eardrums. All encompassing, the wind acting as a messenger but still having its own voice heard. And causing reactions to all they touch: a scuttle of leaves running across the pavement, a snap of branches against a building, a cry of a person who has lost their hat as payment to the messanger wind. A mixture of bold honks and subtile rings of the phone in the pocket of my jeans. I don't pick up, but I listen. Listen to the sounds of the city.

Peer Review

What is the the greatest strength of this piece?

Your imagery I think is your greatest strength in this piece.

How would you describe the tone of this piece? What mood does the writer create through his/her choice of language and rhythm?

A listening kind-of voice. Peaceful. Open. They made it not about the character, but about many, MANY characters, and yet you still left the window not all the way open, letting a wonderful breeze in.

How do the elements of magical realism influence the piece?

The magical, fleeting beauty in this piece is ravishing. The language used really made the story come alive.

Reviewer Comments

This is an ice cream-licking, eye-tearing piece. The imagination you poured into your story really set it on fire! I love how you made everything so real, like you could feel that breeze, hear that sound, and smell that aroma.