Sunsets in a Chaotic City

“How do you survive in a city that’s constantly without water and electricity?” I ask myself this question every day. Water is so essential to everything, and electricity—how does a city function in the dark? While I ask myself many questions when the power is out, the city itself treats me to sunsets after a storm that left fallen trees in its wake. Days pass, weeks go by, and it all boils down to months of routine. Drastic changes, friendships that are no more, and a love far away. Meanwhile, what’s next?

If you asked me what I really like, I’d say taking photos and writing. It’s been a while since I’ve drawn mandalas; I should focus on that.

But that’s how adult life works—a job or a degree. You have to know how to do something to get by. I used to watch my older brother go about his work, and it always looked easy to me, but now he struggles just as much as I do.

How did society come to accept living solely on a stipend that isn’t a real salary? How did they normalize it?

Ah well, peace is everything, and here I bring you sunsets.