Fiery Bling

I've started collecting stand pipes, at least those that provide an 

opportunity for a bit of interesting composition. 

Looking down on these fixtures shows their red enameled tops, 

beautifully set off against the brass-colored hardware.

The chains on the caps remind me of a woman I saw years ago 

in the infield at the Speedway. She had pierced her nipples

and had a chain running between the two. Argh!

Standpipes Wrapped by Cristo

Well ... not really, but I couldn't resist.

The building was being remodeled and the

plasterers covered the pipes so they

wouldn't get covered in plaster and paint.

I Could Not Resist Their Lure

This pair of standpipes are attached to the outside of 

an attorneys' office on East Market Street.

Polished and gleaming, yet pitted and oxidized with

their red end-caps setting off their shine,

they await a duty it is hoped they never need

to perform.

Just underneath, there is a third outlet,

a common garden-variety spigot 

that receives more use, 

cleaning the sidewalk 

and watering the plants.

No polish, no chrome has ever

seen its humble exterior.