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.

Shiny

On Sunday, it had been seven weeks and three days since 

Mr. Groundhog had been out to forecast for spring.

I wore a vest over my T-shirt this afternoon only to have 

pockets for my wallet and camera. Spring has surely

arrived because so many people were out raking 

their flower plots, cleaning garages, and walking their dogs.

This family was preparing their car for future

automobile shows. The engine has been removed

for an overhaul and the garage was being tidied prior to 

the car being returned to its shelter.

There were three people involved in this activity, 

I believe - father, son and granddaughter, each of whom has

their own vehicle to drive around the neighborhood.