They stood there. I thought 'pillars of the community'. I thought well, this is piling it on. I thought of the piles of bills on my desk.
Parked uptown early for a meeting and I miss you so I run down to see you...
Parked uptown early for a meeting and I miss you so I run down to see you and there you are and you are busy being you and I laugh. I laugh and my hands are blistering cold and these clothes for a meeting mock me. But I hold that cold metal box with the lens and you laugh back.
The ice sheets in essence, sank. Popping up their tips like little icebergs.
The ice sheets in essence, sank. Popping up their tips like little icebergs.
A crowd this morning. And we laughed at how it felt like Trick-or-Treat.
Dear Anonymous,
A crowd this morning. And we laughed at how it felt like Trick-or-Treat. Long on the treats I'm happy to report.
Someone was disgruntled that so-and-so got a coffee card and 'he don't deserve it.'
Afterwards, after coffee cards are dispersed, socks find new homes, hand warmers are stuffed into pockets, gloves and pants are rifled through, I ask just a few,
What shall we do? Set up a table. With someone with a clipboard. And do extensive interviews to determine deservedness?'
Nah.
Not gonna happen.
Socks. Coffee cards and the connection to community.I am grateful for smiles this morning. There's always gratitude expressed. There is also pain and desperation expressed. Theirs. Mine. Ours.
Coffee cards and socks. Thank you Dear Anonymous, thank you.
And whoever left bags of socks at my door, thank you. Much appreciated and already distributed.
Where you built your tent in the temporary jungle at tides edge. At the edge of light.
Where you built your tent in the temporary jungle at tides edge. At the edge of light. Love at first sight. Love at first light.
Winter Fishing. Stay safe out there. In some way so many wait for your return.
Winter Fishing. Stay safe out there. In some way so many wait for your return. Each of you that push off each dawn. Not much said. But we wait. Part of us waits.
Just pick one up and see it in the light.' something said.
Just pick one up and see it in the light.' something said.
'Any piece at all will do. Quick, before the sun makes it vanish back to the sea. Just any piece will do.'
and the piece I grab looks like this and the stories begin.
A thought passed like a whisper. Like a hushed whisper into my ear.
A thought passed like a whisper. Like a hushed whisper into my ear. Or at least I thought it was my ear though nothing was actually heard. Did constellations imprint their galactic position onto your body? A star map. A galactic menu.A celestial sentence? And what of it?
How salt water ice is soft. And hard. All at once.
How salt water ice is soft. And hard. All at once.
There have been other bodies pulled from this sea.
There have been other bodies pulled from this sea.
Ravaging. Ravishing.
Ravaging. Ravishing.
It could have been that I knew you in July. But now, we barely recognize one another.
It could have been that I knew you in July. But now, we barely recognize one another.
MaineWorks provides employment opportunities and second and third and fourth chances.
MaineWorks provides employment opportunities and second and third and fourth chances. What can support in early recovery look like? Employment in an environment where everyone is familiar with the complex and individual journey of recovery, for one.
Support can look like helping to get someone situated in a sober house that works for them; sometimes as simple as getting them some clothes to start out with. Boots to work in. Safety gear. And urgently, a respectful space in a circle of people trying their damnest to make a new life. Welcome.
Sometimes it's the conversations that spring up amongst MaineWorks employees....
Sometimes it's the conversations that spring up amongst MaineWorks employees that really illustrate what is at hand. This morning several employees were reflecting on where they were in their lives two years ago. One year ago.
Self described as 'The Walking Dead.' Repeat that : The Walking Dead.
I sincerely barely recognize them from those times.
These men, standing by a fire at 6 AM conversing, are alive. Vibrant. Compassionate. Deliberately so.
With transformations like this, so much, so VERY much seems possible. Keep. Going.
It was a delicate life boat. Never sure who might make it. And who might not.
It was a delicate life boat. Never sure who might make it. And who might not.
I may have been screaming in my car. I may have punched the radio.
I may have been screaming in my car. I may have punched the radio. Strangled the steering wheel. But then, you're like this, sort of 'na-na-nan-nah boo boo.'
And I'm done.
The crocheted lace of your icy inner harbor. Cross section of other worldly specimens.
The crocheted lace of your icy inner harbor. Cross section of other worldly specimens.
This is how you barge in, down the river,like a freight train off its tracks
This is how you barge in, down the river,like a freight train off its tracks
For a certain Mason. Jessica Solaguren
For a certain Mason. Jessica Solaguren
Icing on the Cake
Icing on the Cake