4.28.2025

Shoe store closing early for Canadian Election Day. That's how serious. Folks are out. Bits of conversation about how and where and whether to watch results.

A couple balconies over a woman plays long sweet chords on accordion over an invisible acoustic guitar. Slow strums and arpeggios in A minor. Birds everywhere, like the ones busting out of that pie in the nursery song.

Met my neighbor today. Technically he's my host as he owns the studio I'm staying in but his ex-wife administrates those things. He and their daughter occupy the units next to and upstairs from mine.

Black sweater, socks on the sidewalk, super friendly. We get into it quickly. Not going back if I can help it, I say. It's already dangerous, he says.

The border states, everyone is so pro-Canada, he says. I know I say I've been going to Ontario my whole life, it's just like another state. You know who would like to hear you say that. That's not what I mean but he knows that and laughs.

A soil truck too wide for the narrow street scratched and dinged about five cars on each side. Now it’s parked in front of its worksite down the block and the driver paces back and forth, looking down the road at the people talking about what happened and pointing in his direction.

I miss neighbor drama. Bring me into your neighbor drama. They are going to vote, he and the daughter. Freedom is on the line. National identity. Not going to visit my friends in Boston, he says. Me either. They're going through phones, harassing Canadians, scientists, folk singers, anyone they can harass. Making examples out of everyone.

The window is stuck and I can't open it. He takes a look for me. He will come by later and help.

The daughter comes out. We compare notes on walkable places and agree that Montreal is the best. Nowhere is better for most things. I would live here in this unit if I'm allowed to stay longer. You should ask them, she says.

I like the attitude, I say. Elbows up and everything. I will stay and fight for this place if I have to, I say. No one believes me but I mean it. Go vote, I say. Go with God. I never say that and mean it.