contrast - here and there

Here the wind is whipping and the temp is 20

there it was breezy and 60

here all is familiar, same, no surprises

There its strange and stranger, with homeless and mentally ill on every corner,
and senses being assaulted and comfort being challenged by the sights ans sounds of the city.

Here are things I want to take pictures of, and to remember
there exist too many things I want to forget

Here I am known and my friendly wave, or word of greeting is welcomed
there I almost apologize for walking up to someone
for talking to a stranger, I am the "weirdo"

Here it is winter, there it is something less
here i feel blessed, there oppressed.

Here in my mountains I am safe and (mostly) sound.
There I would likely end up like those who wander and mumble to themselves amidst the chaos in concrete, smelling of stale drink and smoke, afraid and causing others to walk away, turn aside, close off their hearts because the need is too great, the hurt to deep, the confused mind not open anymore, bound in tightly wrapped layers of endless bad news and frustration.