“Who is now reading this?” – Walt Whitman
It was just one block away from my apartment, on the corner; but I suddenly felt like I’d traveled thousands of miles, or gone to a different level of something that was on a whole other level.
The utter humbleness of it all was what struck me most. Whoever did this took the time, with, obviously, very limited resources.
It was the early AM of a midsummer morning just outside Chicago at the time when the birds are going insane in the good way, having a party before settling down into the branches above us and hiding out for the rest of the day.
Then, suddenly, they were there, these simple signs that were honoring the dead.
And I saw that at the top of one of the lists of names, the name was Ophelia.
First it made me think of the Taylor Swift video (not just the song), “The Fate of Ophelia.”
Next it made me think of Good Will’s, and Hamlet’s, Ophelia (the lover of both for sure).
Then I noticed that, within the same list, there was (is) someone with the same first name as one of my daughters.
And THAT made me think of invisible connection/s that spread throughout the world (and what is called the universe).
And then I thought of how Ophelia is invisible to me.
The Drifter (All Images by The Drifter)
Saragun Springs 
Ah the Drifter is on a Vision quest in the wilds of Wisconsin
But this is a tremendous monument of hope to the fallen. I used to think we lived in a land where there were no knocks at the door followed by questions such as “Have you seen Ahmed?” I worked with a nice man who traveled back home for a visit and could not get back into America, due to some stupid list somewhere. He lived in the USA for many years and had no complaints against him.
This, however, was avoidable. Remember, Hitler was elected, too. Vote against in the mid term then seek someone for. Just bitching will do nothing, Vote. If this continues. well, then we get what we deserve.
Great stuff Drifter
Leila
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Hi Drifter
The perception of this piece causes a shifting sensation in the mind. It is very powerful. It should be included years from now when the disasters of Trump-ism are looked upon with a disdainful eye from this democracy or some other surviving democracy.
It must have been startling to see a list like this near your apartment. People are people and we’re all immigrants to this country, besides native Americans, and even they migrated over an ancient land bridge.
Humans will have a good run like many Apex predators have had in this world, but in the end it will be as long as a butterfly.
Great pictures and writing!
CJA
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We live in difficult times. There is a long-running bloody war in Europe, the leader of the free world is nuts, another nut in North Korea has nuclear weapons, people in England are dying of heatstroke, wild fires are raging in Canada, France and Spain, The Holy Land is a seething, bloody mess…
Thoreau went to prison on a point of principle, Emerson visited him in prison and said, ‘Henry, why are you here?’ Thoreau answered him, ‘Why aren’t you here?’
It gladdens my heart that there are still people out there, like Dale’s anonymous neighbour poster, who are willing (in a small way) to resist. My thanks to Dale for (re)posting,
mick
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