Open Swim (not Sink) St. Louis

I wish you could have been there.
I wish you could have splashed in the water.
I wish you could have seen the dazzling smiles the spectrum of skin.
I wish you could have moved aside for children scaling the perimeter, unable to touch bottom, unable to swim...yet.
I wish you could have heard the collective joy and music rippling around and through the scene.
I wish you could have helped strangers offered to fix their goggles, to find their mom.

I had those pleasures and more at our Pool Party.
It was a sight to behold: neighbors, friends, and strangers-- a jubilant jumbled buoyant mass
Knotted together.
As it should be.

Happy to be together.
Happy to claim a new season.
Happy to swim,
St. Louis.


*Special thanks to everyone who helped make the Marquette Pool Party  an event I cherished. That means you, Cara Spencer, Blank Generation, Sleepy Kitty, Black James, Southside Forever, Mayor Slay, and Parks Department,

Finders Keepers Vol. 2 | Beauty Marks

Lately, I've been seeing graffiti pop up around me. It is everywhere, but what really captures my attention are tiny stenciled pictures in one color. I think of them as beauty marks. Technically, I suppose they are a sign of lawlessness. But they display seems to augment and elevate the object they are put on rather than deface it.
And there is a sense of whimsy about them.
Are they done by the same person? I'd love to know.

I've challenged myself over the last 2 weeks to spot as many as I could.

I accepted the challenge; these are what I've noticed.

1.) Thing One and Thing Two

2.) The Trinity

3.) Rose is a Rose is a Rose

4.) Quoth the Raven

Interestingly, this was the only stencil used on every side of the trash bin. 

5.) Other-worldly

6.) He loves me...?

7.) Man of Thoughts 

By far, this is my favorite find, sandwiched between two unsightly buildings offering quick money for strings attached. 

Did you notice patterns?

• Concrete.
• Monochrome.
• Stenciled.
• Often "framed" by the object  where it has been added. 

• Red stencil art East of Grand and Black is West. (I am not sure if there is a pattern yet. I'll keep you posted.)