The Newtown Pentacle

Monday

– photo by Mitch Waxman

Mountain Avenue to Yard Way part three.

Not gonna lie, your humble narrator has been ‘bumming out’ of late. The news isn’t a subject which I like to dwell upon these days, as whether it’s National or Global – it’s all bad. I’ve made it a point of not talking about world events here, in an attempt to provide some bit of diversion that isn’t apocalyptic or horrible.

The future has ended up to just kind of suck.

Somehow, I’m not surprised, but then again – I am – after all, a member of Generation X. We always figured that the Baby Boomers would figure out a way to screw everyone else, during their dotage and on their way out. It’s how they lived, it’s how they’ll die.

One likes to ruminate while out, and scuttling about, which your humble narrator was involved with on this particular day.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

Dribbling down the Yard Way steps, in the manner of a greasy liquid one associates with that which might ooze forth from an abattoir, me. My countenance is horrific, with dogs and children shrieking as I pass by. Cats hiss. Blossoms fold as if it was night as I scuttle past. A bird once saw me from above, and dropped out of the air dead, right in front of me. Pestilential.

I’ve been called that, as a point of fact. Pestilential.

Yard Way’s City Steps terminate at Pius Street, where the steps transmogrify into a series of sidewalk ramps. A block or two away from this spot are the Church Route City Steps, upon which I’d continue this scuttle.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

Looking back at where I’d been, above.

As far as the bad mood goes, mental health complaints don’t necessarily refer to me slipping into or feeling ‘batshit crazy,’ but at the time of this writing I would describe myself as suffering from a bit of a ‘psychic cold.’

Low grade, no fever, just your run of the mill stuffy nose, headache, and sore throat kind of thing – that’s the analogy. It’s annoying, being bummed out, but just like when you’ve got a cold – you just have to wait it out, and then go for a walk in the sun when you’re feeling better.

Normally, I’m an ‘effin beacon of positivity, yo.

That’s me, just ask anyone who knows me in real life. I’m all sunshine and lollipops if you meet me in person.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

Times like these are when all of those little guiding aphorisms of mine, which I pass off as wisdom, come into play.

‘It’s all downhill from here, and wherever that goes, there you are. Take a picture, it’ll last longer. One foot after the other, other, and soon you’ll be walking out the door. You’ll never win a fight with a woman you love, find a better way. Be early, at least they can’t hold that against you. Nothing matters, and nobody cares.’

The songbook from the musical ‘Annie’ suggests that the sun will indeed come out tomorrow. The Gorilla Biscuits also chide one to ‘Start Today.’

– photo by Mitch Waxman

My plan had been was to try and catch some Norfolk Southern train traffic along the way, but that neighborhood cleanup mentioned in earlier posts extended down to their tracks, and there were people with hi-viz vests and NS hats on who were talking on walkie talkies while the neighborhood people did their thing on and along the rails.

No bueno.

One decided to ‘try’ for CSX instead, an ideation which would involve a bit more scuttling. There would a possibility of a beer, too.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

As far as cheering up, it’s a fairly difficult, intractable, and closed system. Me. Whatever happens behind the eyes and between the ears is sort of tidal in nature. When a storm comes, you just ride it out.

Only thing to do – really – is get out and shoot a bunch of photos, scuttling about, and turning the earth beneath my feet.

Back tomorrow.

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