Duane Michals
Duane Michals 
I have to consciously tell myself to slow down.
Even slow my thoughts down.
Time shouldn’t matter.
Waiting to cross North Ave. the wind whips my face,
it’s so raw against my skin.
I see red roses, they remind me of Jan.
I see an uprooted plant, laying over on its side.
I notice the houses, but don’t think much of them.
I think I see coffee grounds in someones garden.
I touch them, I smell them.
I still can’t tell.
I see a rotted out tree with a plant growing inside.
It’s the earth living in the earth.
I wish I could record my thoughts.
They travel so quickly, I can’t capture them.
My fingers are frozen, gripping my journal.
I see a road behind Main.
It looks scary, but I go anyways.
I try to walk on the sidewalk, but it has trees and telephone poles taking up the space.
I guess it’s simply a space between a wall and a road.
I see people walking through my path.
People carrying giant triangles and singing.
I have a red hand to cross the street, I go anyways.
I don’t stop for cars, and they don’t stop for me.
It’s like an unforgiving relationship, we both hate each other.
A guy just put a cigar in the cigarette butt trash,
it’s still smoldering.
Everyone is in Decker... I don’t want to be near them.
I’m having fun by myself.
The cigar guy is in front of me and he smells like smoke.
Where is there an empty?
Writing this I still feel rushed.
And here are some photos from today! Enjoy :)
From their website:
Rubia’s programs address poverty through livelihoods, education, and health.
Named for a red root used to dye yarn, Rubia is creating new traditions in textiles by translating the heritage and skills of Afghan women into sustainable livelihoods.
All aspects of the development and implementation of Rubia’s programs are rooted Afghanistan, using community members at all levels to help build the economy and capacity in their home region.
Traditionally, embroidery has been women’s handwork, done at home, between domestic chores, to enhance their surroundings. Rubia integrates these traditional elements with the new benefit of earning an income while maintaining fragile elements of their textile heritage: plant dyes, natural fibers, and designs drawn from ancient Afghan tribal patterns.
Alternative livelihoods are the key to Afghanistan’s social and economic recovery. Subsistence farmers who had supported their families with poppy cultivation are now seeking other means of economic empowerment. Poppy flowers and other designs embroidered by women in the valley of Darrai Noor provide a legitimate source of income, a new tradition in textiles.
