Stumbling Upon a Meridian

"But as the stars are going out,
And this stage is full of nothing,
And the friends have all but gone,
For my life, my God, I'm singing.

We'll take our hearts outside,
Leave our lives behind,
And watch the stars go out."

- Stars by Dubstar

Mahoganie's Glow

My neighbor once explained that the term "meridian" means the "highest point."  Hence why he gave his eldest daughter the name. She was a high point in his life. Though I assume I will have many high points, Tuesday's high seemed to be natural, wonderful and perhaps spiritual.

Late Tuesday afternoon, I headed for upper Northwest, DC as I needed to take care of something. I'm not sure as to why I waited so late in the day to head in that direction. I was playing with rush hour traffic time. However, I wasn't in a rush. I was practically moving at my own comfortable speed the whole day. After I finished what I needed to do, I was heading back towards my quadrant of the city. As I was driving around something come over me. I can't explain the feeling but it's a feeling I get when I see and notice things...mainly change.

DC is continuously changing and sometimes I feel it's all too fast.  Sometimes I feel that I may not get to experience it all; some of that fear is due to gentrification and the rest of it is just me dealing with my own change. My cousin T - the one who is currently living in NY until she finishes up her studies at FIT - is working on her transition back home. The family jokes with her on how she is more so in DC than in NY with every chance she gets. T often tells me,

"I like what is happening in DC. It's my home and I want to be a part of this."

And like T, I too am trying to "get in where I fit in." I don't want to be left behind.

With this unexplainable feeling flowing through me, I was driving down 16th Street - part of the "Gold Coast."  As many times as I had driven that route before and even noticing the houses, Tuesday's drive made me notice more. The beautiful houses, the city landscaping, schools and even the churches and temples that line 16th Street. The sun was near setting and traffic was pretty backed up, but moving. I came upon a few stop lights near Meridian Hill Park. Though I am a native, there are still a few places in this city I have never set foot in, Meridian Hill was one. 

IMGP0743

Growing up, I've heard so many things about this park. I know it used to be called Malcolm X Park, but I'm unsure as to when they actually renamed it. As a kid riding by, I use to envision what it was like inside. What is all green with a few splashes of color? Was it like Rock Creek Park; all rocky?  Were there hidden creatures ready to pounce on you? 

I would often hear about how beautiful and lush everything was inside, but no one dared to take me inside. Unfortunately, this park has seen it's fair share of hardships; drug deals, prostitutes, wandering homeless, etc. Though some of this may still go on after dark, during the day it seems to illuminate with beauty.

While idle at the stop light, I was beginning to to resonate with the idea of returning another day to catch a few photos. My spontaneity got the better of me. I quickly began to look for a parking space, but I didn't have to go far. I turned off at the foot of the park on Florida Ave. A comfortable parking space was waiting for me only a few steps from the park.  I unloaded the Snickerdoodle, made sure my purse/Snicker's diaper bag was secured, checked for my phone and camera and we strolled to the park.

Luscious Green

I immediately began to snap away, despite my dying battery. I almost wanted to break down and cry at the beauty of the scenery, but I think looking at all of the steps to the park crushed any plans on tearing up. Thankfully, the bulk of the steps were wide and spacious enough where I didn't have to struggle with the Snickerdoodle's stroller.  

I did wonder - What Do The Handicapped Do?

Nevertheless, I took it all in. The luscious green, the refreshing water, the ducks in the water, the sun, the mother and son having a quiet moment on a blanket, the interracial gay couple staring into each others eyes and snuggling and another couple sitting on one of the stone benches taking the scene(s) in as well.

The Snickerdoodle even enjoyed her ride, as she sat up in her stoller and held her hands out as if she were catching a good breeeze.

Cascade Down

I really didn't want to make too much of my walk through Meridian Hill, but sometimes I do think it's important to stop and notice divine beauty. Otherwise, appreciating the little things won't come easy.  Walking through that park on Tuesday connected me with the beauty of nature and perhaps with God. Once I reached the highest point (the Meridian) of the park (via paved gravel on an incline not the stairs) I was in awe. I looked towards the Florida Ave side and there was this breathtaking view. Granted it was all rooftops with the Washington Monument in a distance in a bit of a summer hazy sky. However, when I looked up; the late evening sun, the clouds, the deep blue sky - I felt at peace...at ease.

Serenity

Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I was starting my exit out of the park when I stolled passed "Serenity."  As broke up and facially disfigured she was, her pose made my day.  Her pose was firm but calm. To think she's been poised enough to maintain her calm for years. As for me, like any other human, I get a little serenity and loose it.

Still, I appreciated her and all of the others I saw perched or standing proudly in the midst of God's great greenery.

I seem to be on a natural high ever since.

More of my photos of Meridian can be viewed on my Flickr album.