Footprints
In our Victorian 40 years now. Two Generations.
You’d think we owned it by now and
we do, on paper, but really we’re just tenants.
A hundred years before us, maybe a
hundred years after?
Called the Joseph Smith house on city records—not the
prophet— a pharmacist downtown who had the house
built in the 1880’s and sold it less than 5 years later.
Hardly left a footprint but who does?
5 years? 40 years?
The neighborhood was Frontier Lexington
140 years ago, almost country.
Scary Northside 40 years ago ( Is it
safe? asked a friend.)
Now it’s gentled as they call it and we’re the
old folks In the big house—the only legal sign
we’ve been here a Joseph Anthony notation
in city records. Joseph Smith and me.
That’s something at least.
But you have to go look for it.
9 thoughts on "Footprints"
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The contrast of the longevity of a location and the impermanence of us as individuals in these locations is explored well here. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks. Impermanence is the word.
What a lovely exploration of the minimal impact of our fleeting lives!
Thank you. Minimum with two new roofs and refurbished box gutters.
I love the line “Hardly left a footprint but who does?” The questioning of your own impact by looking at someone else’s lack of one is amazing.
Thanks!
I guess this makes me the tenant’s tenant 😏 Happy that it’s so.
we, also.
Love the title and the details.
Love “Now it’s gentled as they call it and we’re the
old folks In the big house—”
And that it seems to have been named Joe’s house and Joe’s house is Joe’s house. 😀