Discourse and critical thinking are essential tools when it comes to securing progress in a democratic society. But in the end, unity and engaged participation are what make it happen.

They were learning that New York had another life, too _ subterranean, like almost everything that was human in the city _ a life of writers meeting in restaurants at lunchtime or in coffee houses after business hours to talk of work just started or magazines unpublished, and even to lay modest plans for the future. Modestly they were beginning to write poems worth the trouble of reading to their friends over coffee cups. Modestly they were rebelling once more.

May as well have ox blood running through those veins,_ I added, __ou__e as stubborn as one.

Flirt with the old ladies and you__l be fine,_ I muttered, shoving my stuff into the cubby. He hung his green hoodie on the hooks right beside me. __s that how you get by?_ __oesn__ work on the old ladies for me, but the old men on the other hand?_ I paused and glanced at my nails. __eah, doesn__ work on them either.

I may just be on the outskirts of being okay.

Is that the biggest favor your vocal cords have done to anyone this week?