The man knew why security and I escorted him to the door. He was drunk and that meant he could not stay on the premises especially not with the beer he held tight in its brown paper bag. “I want to make a change,” he said, voice cracking. “I want to stop.” He sounded sincere, as sincere as the friends and family I knew who struggled with alcohol. “I believe you,” was all that I could say, then added. “I wish you well.” He shook the security guard’s hand and then he turned to me. “Will you give me a hug?” What else could I do as he leaned down but to embrace him?
After my shift ended I wandered around the building and there he was. Close, so close, to another door where he could have received help. Instead, he stood there in the damp of the day and opened the bottle.
The child did not utter the words, give me a hug. She just walked up to me with no other expectation than what was to be. If she were to lean against me but of course I would wrap my arms around her. Had I not done that the whole of her short life?
Somehow the child felt heavier than the man. The weight of her promise waiting to be fulfilled versus all that he had lost perhaps. “I’m tired,” she said. “I know,” I replied. “You can lean here for a bit but no sleeping. I might have to tickle you so we can get you home.” There was a giggle but the weight remained in my arms a while longer. And that was alright.
In my dreams I sometimes try to hold people. It is the gift of paupers and probably no greater gift. I hope so.
It has become an unintended experiment in observation, to see what happens to this rose over time. How the light strikes it. Where the shadows fall. Given to me as part of a bouquet over a month ago, it now rests upon a bed of shells that I have been collecting for a future art installation. More in the future about the rose and the installation.
That’s what I googled last night because somehow, and I don’t know how it happened, my indoor winter garden produced a lot of parsley. The recipe that called to me was for an Isreali Tomato and Cucumber Salad. My variation on the theme was to chop up some red and green peppers, English cucumber, tomatoes, the parsley, a little garlic and red onion, and mix with lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. A simple salad. 😉
… there’s a company called Usful Glassworks. Recycled glass is transformed into lovely, useful items. What’s really special about this company, in addition to its merchandise, is its founding philosphy of providing manufacturing and production experience to those who face the greatest employment barriers including at-risk youth, male and female offenders, those with mental or physical disabilities, refugees, veterans and the low-income elderly. It is an institution providing help, hope and opportunity to those who need it most. See for yourself in the following video and learn more about its future on its gofundme page:
Even though snow is forecast for the weekend, it is indeed spring in New England and that means my favorite flower shop is soon to reopen (yay). Various art shows including Somerville Open Studios (SOS) are building momentum. More news about those exhibits in the near future. Meanwhile, I’m continuing to challenge myself with applications for my photography. And happily so!
These headbands are available in my new shop on the Art of Where website: https://artofwhere.com/artists/wordsandimagesbycynthia I’ve been pleased with the quality of the final product and look forward to adding new items with new images of branches especially as spring blooms appear.
The literal and figurative nature of branching has always played an important part in my creative life, whether writing, researching or walking the world with my camera.
pencil/make-up pouch
During these rather chaotic times, it has been a pleasure to delve into new realms of creativity by … branching into cloth. 😉 We’ll see what the future holds. Meanwhile, please visit the shop and enjoy: https://artofwhere.com/artists/wordsandimagesbycynthia
Words + Images 