Andrew J. Lederer

found me not far from Union Square, where I seemed to see, from my vantage point, an array of flowing white things, probably being manipulated by one of those Chinese anti-oppression/relaxation dance/protest companies.

In reality, I had stumbled upon the massive, annual, multi-hour Union Square pillow fight.

Feathers floated more than 3 city blocks away, also inside the whole Foods Market across 14th Street, even upstairs in Whole Foods' massive eating area.

I passed people, pillows in hand, covered with feathers on their way from the happening as well as people carrying pillows toward the fracas.

If I'd known about it in advance (and if I had any friends who would do something like that with me), I'd have loved to have participated.

But I continued on my way.

Hours later, I passed the site again.

From the window of the M6 bus, as darkness descended, I saw a guy sweeping up feathers in the more or less empty square.