RSS FeedFrozen In My Steps
Gazing to my left during an afternoon walk around the PQ, I froze. An image seared by countless impressions acquired growing up in Mexico City’s then 14 million inhabitant metro urban madness snapped into focus. I paused and thought for a second. Then it hit me. The visual testimony was startling because it didn’t show up in a travel magazine or a National Geographic lecture. It materialized in my field of view in downtown DC on the steps of 10th Street’s St. Patrick’s Church. I found Ms. Silent Prayer (right) sitting in a bowed figure on the steps of St. Patrick’s with bags by her side much like I used to see in a city’s zocalo (town plaza). Is she praying? Is she sleeping? Is she in despair? I don’t know. I didn’t stop to ask her. Disturbing one’s quiet time and holy space is rude. No one truly knows the plight of another by witnessing the exterior rendering anyway. Despair drapes itself midday in Zegna suits and BCBG dresses too. My hope? This image is a seduction strafing my thoughts with third world notions and the reality is that this woman has a safe, comfortable place she’ll return to at night called home.
Historical note: The parish was established in 1794 but St. Patrick’s Catholic church building at 619 10th Street, NW, was dedicated in 1884.
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Comments
One can see similar scenes most nights on 5th street outside the church on H. I’ve been heartened to see that, for the most part, the people look happy, and the ones that are regulars seem to have good relationships with the local cops (at least, they do when I’m around to witness it).
DC is a third world country in many ways, as this excellent photo – one picture tells a thousand words – demonstrates. We have it all here: a vast population of desperately poor people, a corrupt, inefficient government, & an out-of-touch upper class concerned only about new restaurants.
C’est la vie.
Dear Freddie (#4),
We are not just concerned about new restaurants. We are also concerned about existing restaurants.
Please smile a little. Life is short.
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Unrelated, but:
The space at 9th & E on the NE corner has lots of active construction (framing for walls looks to be in place) and a new liquor license application sign up, indicating it will be American dining with 30 tables inside and 20 outside!