Dear Anonymous,
And when the camera came out so briefly and he stood on the other end of my car and said 'Take a picture of me!' with such enthusiasm I was caught off guard. I zoom in and he opens himself up into this smile. Without self consciousness.
And off he went, coffeecake in hand and a pair of socks tucked into his pocket.
'Take a picture of ME!'
See me.
I am here.
I am.
Here.
Dear Anonymous,
From a distance. A world upended. Bus schedules changing. Caseworkers availability changing. Court dates changing. A general hunger for contact. The same stories of stolen backpacks and lost gear. Things left here. And there. How did we all get here. How do we stay. Some have left like an electron skipping into another orbit and they disappear. I wonder where they all are. I hear from some. Struggling with depression and anxiety and their affection for drugs that help quell those demons. And on we go. Walking one another home from 6' away. But still walking.
Dear Anonymous,
Drive by birthday wish for Mike this morning. Complete with brownies and coffee cake handed over to share, badass bandana masks for the crew and coffee cards. (and this image from a zoom lens)
The mood was sour at first, filled with his frustration that an incentive check had not arrived in his account, but turned lighter as I read him his birthday well wishes that many of you left here yesterday. He smiled as I shouted out the messages and he nodded his head with each. Thank you.
So, it's this guys birthday tomorrow. Hoping for a completely socially distant and conscientiously masked sighting to wish him an auspicious circle around the sun.
A generous invitation from Maine-Wabanaki REACH.
HAND DRUMS FOR HEALING. Today, everywhere. Distanced but together. From the HAND DRUMS FOR HEALING Facebook page:
'On Earth Day, all People everywhere are invited to join Hand Drums for Healing, a one-hour collective drumming event to raise vibrations of healing for ourselves, our communities, and the planet.
Drums are a prominent part of many Indigenous healing ceremonies. The beat is like that of a heartbeat and drumming is often referred to as the heartbeat of Mother Earth. Drumming aligns with the natural laws of resonance and helps bring about restoration and healing.
Modern science is catching up to indigenous knowledge and now research shows the therapeutic effects of drumming in physical and emotional healing, and in boosting the immune system.
"Drumming gives us an experience where we can be free to connect with ourselves and others, in order to release, restore and heal." [The Benefits of Drumming, project-resiliency.org]
You don't need to drum the whole hour - join when you can, anytime between noon and 1:00 pm on April 22, 2020, and know that you are not alone - that together we are healing. Hold the vision of what a healthy planet, community, and body looks like and feel good in knowing that you have done your part.
The more people, the greater the vibrational energy.
Please feel free to share this collective healing event far and wide.'
This photo is from September 2019 at a Maine-Wabanki REACH event. Maria Girouard led a group dance with her hand drum. For me who has no such tradition to call upon, it was a deeply felt and meaningful experience. Thank you Maine-Wabanaki REACH for your generosity.
Dear Anonymous,
Many folks out on the street are getting hotel rooms provided by the City. ( I do not know the details or the policy so I apologize if I am incorrect about who is providing what) I hear if you do not have a State ID you will not be admitted to the hotel. This is a problem for some. Others are well hunkered down at Milestone (thank you Milestone Foundation) at night and are wandering during the day as best they can without any place to land.
Several men mentioned how hard it is not to have people around to speak with. More difficulty getting in touch with caseworkers. Of more than the usual stigma around homelessness. I don't know but I listen from a distance. Briefly. I know they crave more time. Mental stability does not seem to be prospering. There was one story of someone self immolating behind a convenience store yesterday. I pray this is not true.
Mike is headed to shelter for a week and wanted to thank whoever it was that provided these masks at Preble Street.
Remembering a comment from a MaineWorks employee last winter. A man from the County Jail pre-release program who said:
How we treat our most vulnerable members of society speaks to the quality of our society.
Powerful words.
This image was photographed 6+ feet away and was an exceedingly brief check-in as I filled my car with gas.
The boats are out. Many resources for fresh seafood in these times. Direct from the boat to you. Often including socially distant delivery.
SEE MAINECOASTFISHERMEN.ORG for a listing of resources available.
Down to the bones. From 6 feet away he looks up from beneath his hood. He hesitates and says 'I am retiring.' And I will not know exactly what this means. He is despondent and in pain and I believe he has been walking all night. No where to rest his damaged back. The whys and what if's of this have no bearing in this moment. His face haunts me. Mouth hung open. He is despair on legs. He is close to god, whatever that really means, and he walks off.