Everyday, I park and see this. It's the house across the street from where I work. Of the seven houses you could consider "across the street," including two on the next block, two are burnt out like this one. One is listed and people walk in and out its plywood door, using it as a hangout. The once-pretty stone-facade'd one on the corner has a huge hole kicked in the door, and the neighbor's dog goes in and out--I think maybe it's pooping in there.
We spend a lot of time picking up tiny drug zip-locks and damaged disposable lighters, and the paper trash from the food given out at the Bed and Bread truck, which comes every day and gives a hot meal to anyone in line, no ID needed, no questions asked. People drive down the street and toss their beer and booze bottles out to smash on the road as they continue on, laughing.
Notice the grass is greening up in the vacant lot, and the blue springtime sky is just as beautiful overhead as in pristine western plains or over the top of a sailboat in the bay. The potential is there, to create a place safe for children to grow and learn, and for people to own homes they can care for, and for little gardens with tomatoes and beans. The potential is there--we have dirt, sky, air, water, and the highest unemployment and foreclosure rates in the nation.
If there's anyone out there that is feeling fortunate that this house is not across the street from you, or who would like to do something for our community center so it can continue to provide services to this neighborhood, let me know. I'm full of ideas, but not enough time to do it all myself.
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