Roxbury Shadows


Ray Allen restarted a tradition that began during his days in Seattle,
providing full Thanksgiving dinners to 275 families in Roxbury,
complete with turkey, stuffing, dinner rolls, salad, green beans, dessert,
and the not-so-traditional vitamin water.

275 families in Roxbury
and a basketball star
come to play…

I know what those streets were
In December snow
And the tightness of the black nights.

There the limits were not just physiological
Though the inner world fell into visions.
Ragged clothes, holes in my sneakers,
My racism, rage, my intimidation.

The tyranny of my drunken, distant father
Drove the older boys away-
To theft, the Navy, psychosis…

Drove the girls to midnight parties
Alcoholisms of their own
Tricks and antiseptic kitchen tables.

See Bob’s old car in the backyard…
Norm’s coins from Europe,
My assumed identities…
Too many parts
Repossessed.

And my hours in the attic
Sorting baseball cards
And isolation.

Shadows hidden in shadows,
All come back
With the news of generosity
In the old neighborhood.

A great read, Peter. It's probably true that a person's best art is usually inspired by the heart.


Les

Thanks, Les.

heart to art.

Peter

I can feel powerful emotions when reading this, Peter.

These lines struck me in particular:

And my hours in the attic
Sorting baseball cards
And isolation.

Mary

Thanks for your sensitivity, Mary.

Peter