Discarded blue purple
black orange surgical gloves
and celeste face masks
alongside blooming jasmine
and california poppies

Spotted two signs during this ramble around West Altadena and Northwest Pasadena: the first, at the taped off trailhead where West Altadena Dr. dead ends, full of fear, anxiety and aggression, threatens to call the sheriff on anyone spotted crossing onto the trail, “stay in your neighborhood”. The second, hangs next to a driveway, appeals to the passer-by to “care for yourself and others”. Two very contrasting attitudes in a health crisis that affects us all, to various degrees for sure, but indiscriminately. I’m tempted to use the contrast as more evidence of the divisions exacerbated by our current political climate, and all the anxieties it has brought forth, but I prefer to walk on, return home and prepare a meal for the family.

Listen: lawnmowers
hedge trimmers and leaf blowers
weed cutters hip hop
rancheras a live drum beat
rattles the windows as I pass