Weekend Guide: 09.17.2021

when i get a little money i buy books

Every few days I see a Stephen King lookalike on my regular walking/running route. He is a slender man with coke-bottle glasses. Beat up jeans and running sneakers. Usually shirtless — showcasing some rather large vitiligo spots on his back and chest.

Some days he is speed walking while carrying two large gallons of water — for hydration and resistance. Other days he is posted up, barefoot, along the banks of the Delaware River in a foldable camp chair. Multiple heavy books at his side.

I walked by his car (Prius) yesterday — did a full scan to make sure he was no where to be found — and took a peek inside. It was a mess. Papers, books, wrappers, mail, you name it. He had an old patchwork blazer, fresh from the dry cleaners, hanging in his rear passenger-side window. His license plate read JURIS DR.

To the left of his plate was this home made looking bumper sticker. I couldn’t make it out in the moment so I snapped a picture and zoomed in.

When I get a little money

I buy books;

and if any

is left

I buy food

and

clothes

Poetry. This is how I feel. Ten year ago me would have flipped that pyramid upside down. Clothes, food, then books. Now, I am this man. I am shirtless. I have a messy car. I am JURIS DR. I am books, food, then clothes.

I love this man. I am this man. I have seen my future and he is living in my present.

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This week I have been listening to Evening Star by Fripp & Eno and reading The Master: The Long Run and Beautiful Game of Roger Federer by Christopher Clarey.

This is a poem I wrote called human scene.

I hope you have a great weekend. As always, if you are reading something of note — do not hesitate to reach out. I would love to connect! Go birds.