The city once breathed, today it coughs.

By Lutfi Dervishi

The city used to breathe, today it coughs.

We used to have clean air, today we have apps that show how polluted the air is.

Once a house was a place of rest, today it is a refuge to escape the smoke and noise.

Tirana used to have people building the city, today it is a city that is being built on people.

We used to meet in the neighborhood square, now in shopping malls.

Children used to play in the gardens, today they play in cafes.

Trees used to be planted in the ground, today they are planted on balconies.

The flower garden used to be under the palace, today it is in the project photo.

Once the smoke came from the chimney, today it comes from traffic.

You used to know your neighbor by the smell of pie, today by the sound of the water pump.