Seeing spring wax and wane through the neighborhood has a particular effect on our organization. In many ways we’re preparing for summer; we’re lining up events, purchasing supplies for community gardens, sorting files and awaiting the arrival of our new AmeriCorps Vistas (Emma and Sarah, we can’t wait to see you!). In many other ways we’re cautiously waiting. Will there be another snowstorm? We’re still holding our breath, so to speak, for spring to arrive.
Days like today make us breath easy. And they inspire us to reconnect with our mission on a basic level. So we take walks, have meetings outside and spend some time visually exploring the Northside.
This poem was recently shared with us. It’s called A Color of the Sky and was written by Tony Hoagland. The full poem can be found at the Poetry Foundation’s Website.
…Outside the youth center, between the liquor store
and the police station,
a little dogwood tree is losing its mind;
overflowing with blossomfoam,
like a sudsy mug of beer;
like a bride ripping off her clothes,
dropping snow white petals to the ground in clouds,
so Nature’s wastefulness seems quietly obscene.
It’s been doing that all week:
making beauty,
and throwing it away,
and making more.
Love photography? Live or work on the Northside? Take part in ArtRage’s Community Photo Project. More info at the ArtRage website. Photos due to Kimberley McCoy by May 1st.
Love poetry? Don’t forget about Salt City Slam’s poetry slam taking place on April 19th at 7 p.m.
Excellent.