A swallowing
A disappearance
Like of some prey into the insides of the predator
Or of a needle into a bale of hay

It's the image my mind conjured
The persistent one that still materializes
Whenever I picture a journey into the city

In the yesterdays
There was a literality to it
And a dismissive wonderment
About the workings of my intellect

Now it is impossible to disregard
The insatiable thirst of the city
The vehemence of its swallowing
The disappearances it effects