day of the dead

we just got your drawing and we miss you, miss nina. here are you and miles in your baby love cuddling in a cool house up above stinson beach.



this friday is the day of the dead
procession and altars near our house. this is always an emotional event. it is dark and the air smells of strong incense and there are burning colored powders on the sidewalk on 24th street. the artists are all intent. one year we saw a vehicle from the underworld, a giant pedaled car driven by two huge skeletons, all metal with huge metal wheels and a twisting drill on the front, shooting fire. in garfield park people drift from altar to altar. pictures of little children with tiny toys and flowers and more incense. photos of aunts and grandmas and fathers and friends and even pets. little books and scribbled notes and treasures. a puppet show of skulls in bright clothing. skeletons dance by in stilts. it is strange and not menacing and moving so you should check it out.

this year i will think of my grandparents, j.h. rich's lost childhood friends, m.n. of p.o.d., chicken, daisy, and of course dear dear dear dear dear mr tedd.