Yesterdays and Tomorrows
Yesterdays and Tomorrows
Vallejo, CA
pencil and pen on paper
When I first started running, 28 years ago, I ran this stretch of waterfront in Vallejo, CA. I turned this very corner countless times, and I do mean countless times. I passed this bank of newspaper machines, past the headlines of Contra Gate, the New World Order, Clinton Blow Jobs, Kuwait oil fires, the Exxon oil spill, and even the election of GW. I passed local news of meth labs busted and crack gangs growing. And yes, I passed the news of a young woman who threw her baby into the water on New Year’s Day from this very corner and drowned her own child.
After I gave birth to my daughter at age 36, I continued to run, and I ran my baby in her little Zoomer down this stretch of waterfront, taking in the fresh air and the seagull shit. My kiddo quietly bundled up studied her environment with a knowingness far beyond her young life. Before we moved to Tucson, I ran hundreds of miles with my daughter along this path.
Now 19 years later, it looks exactly the same. You can still buy a newspaper on paper and read it. The shipyard still looms across the strait. Buildings shuttered and decaying. I hear they sometimes film movies there. It certainly is the perfect setting for the apocalypse. Passed hundreds of people and hundreds of headlines.
I am fond of this corner. I miss it. I’m glad it hasn’t changed. I’m glad that in Vallejo newspaper stands still reign supreme, and you can buy a newspaper, sit on a bench, and read it. Even though I shy away from the news these days, I am happy newspapers exists, and always cheer up at the movie review section.
I prefer to take in my world news through my feet and eyes. I prefer to soak in the environment while I move through the landscape on my legs. Even in the urban toxic jungle, I have always tried to keep one foot on my wild side by being a creature who moves as if her life depends on it. And in fact, my life does depend on it. I am a fierce mommy tiger living in a world encroaching danger.
But as I did 28 years ago on this corner, I will continue run my way throughthe weary world of war and disease, and turn the corner to a quiet place that breathes light, reflection, yesterdays and tomorrows, again and again.