Because I've never done anything Splinter before. And because I can.
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You have no idea.
None of you.
You built it, some four thousand and six hundred square miles of over eight million, illegal or other wise, and none of you have any idea what you actually created.
Sky scrapers. I have always enjoyed that word, and it's not even accurate. Not when you can use rooftops as stepping stones over rivers of traffic and frothing crowd rapids. Free running, Parkour, call it what you will, but there are few such…liberating pursuits.
Except perhaps meditation.
And, of course, watching. Listening. Smelling. Touching.
From up here, one of the statues atop the Chrysler building, I can do all those things. My sons shall ask me how…and kick themselves later for not realising how long I've been teaching them that very thing.
Kids.
And would that they could throw themselves into those rapids and flow with you. But it is foolish to throw yourself upon the mercy of a river. Even more so your neighbour.
But whoever said you could never observe a river? And if you can go beyond that…
I take a breath, as I do every time I journey here, and let it fill me behind closed eyes: people talking, cell phones ringing, cars moving, pidgins flying, food cooking, hearts beating, computers humming, trains roaring, feet walking, tears running, steam rushing, water churning, synagogues praying, electricity crackling, tales telling, all from Manhattan to Queens.
All in one single city…
You humans think yourselves cut off from the world, simple travellers on your own roads…and yet here, in this city, you have mixed oh so many together in one incredible tapestry. One of war and tears and futures and love. And locked yourselves up together, putting on the most incredible performance for a poor and unseen audience.
And still you fear those that you know as that which you do not understand.
You have no idea.
None of you.
And I can't help but cherish everyone of you.