at the edge of Somewhere: A Transcript

Given a straight line and a point not on that line, there is one and only one straight line through the point and parallel to the original line.*

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To reach a place, you need cross no boundary, but you must follow some kind of path. Thus there can be no places without paths…and no paths without places.**

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A tray of grapes and conversation
Masses move under a rippling sky
Tucked under an arm
The weight lopsided and pulling
With steps 1  2  3  4  5  6
A length of two meters
And the height of more

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Drawn across the space
Denying access to
Rows upon rows upon rows upon rows
A silent mood,
The height enormous
Textured with thick pile and pattern and contrast
Chartreuse in some light; emerald in others
Shifting and changing, but stagnant
A crushed texture warm, though distant

——

Four sets of eyes
Keep watch over streets that change direction without warning
Pathways unmarked
House numbers nonexistent
In each direction the color is the same
Left and right are equivalent
But the Watchers know
They find the quiet paths
Relaxed and calm - staring out

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Draped across a tree branch
Rustled by the wind
At the foot of a tower block
Fading
Though amongst many
Enjoying the silence of a side street

——

The old supplanted by the new
Along a withered path
At waist height
Holding
One coin shining out from the green
An offering
To take, to leave

——

The pavement shifts
From diamonds
To steps
From flowers
To boxes
Only a matter of angles
Only a matter of perspective
The lines jagged but decorative
And bold

——

Flowers tall enough to reach the thigh
Windows look in on boards full of thread
Colors  -   Pattern -   Pins
Clouded water reflecting only lights and sky
Tables of steam and machines of repair

——

At the side of the road
With pages spread wide
No words only letters
An offering to the young
Covered in turf, covered in green
Worn at the edges – some letters missing
Greeted every day by the sun

——

Curves overhead
Far-reaching and wide
Supporting height, weight, and hope
Kissed by fragrance
Touched by daylight
Bearing weight into the ground
In full view from the inside, but not from without

——

Nearby clocks have come to a stop
As do the cars on this corner
Looking out and over your shoulder
A mirror does not show what is behind.

——

N40° 11.783' E44° 29.777'

N40° 10.443' E44° 30.168'

N40° 09.796' E44° 30.505'

N40° 09.977' E44° 31.080'

N40° 10.297' E44° 31.071‘

N40° 10.494' E44° 31.031‘

N40° 11.930' E44° 29.963'                                                    

N40° 11.783' E44° 29.777'

*Euclid’s fifth postulate.

**Ingold, Tim. The Perception of the Environment: Essays on livelihood, dwelling, and skill. London: Routledge, 2002.