Every once in a while she reaches down and picks up a piece of paper. Here is the slow, steadfast work of building community on broken pavement. Crushed cans and shattered glass are part of her collection. She gathers up the broken and damaged and creates something beautiful. Kids play curb ball as she cleans the street. Young people walk by as she picks up trash. They notice but don’t say anything. They walk with the easy, unknowing confidence of the young. They see and don’t see. Their feet land heavy. Hers glide. They laugh and talk loud. She smiles and says little. Others—television
...more
