Inevitably,
I run into Manna House guests along the way as I head down Madison. Today was
no different. From the porch of an empty
house a small gathering of folks resting in the shade called out their greetings. We talked a bit about the old Krosstown
Kleaners, just across the street from where they were resting. The "Kleaners" has gone out of business but still sports its famous sign, “Jesus is Lord,
Check for Web Specials.” Jesus has apparently
taken over the building, as a number of people are now making it a place to
sleep.
A bit
further down Madison, just past Cleveland and before Claybrook, I go by the
empty building that used to be the Western Steakhouse Elvis liked to frequent. I am walking where Elvis walked!
I decide to
continue to Montgomery before turning toward Jefferson. This way I get to see all the campaign signs
and workers at the back of Mississippi Boulevard Church, an early polling
place. Imagine, this used to be Bellevue
Baptist before the “Six Flags Over Jesus” place opened.
When I
arrive at Manna House, I can see down to Claybrook and Jefferson. A few folks are in the little park at the
corner, but other than that the neighborhood is quiet. This park is the project of All Saints
Presbyterian Church. They’ve turned a
vacant lot into a gathering space, including a community garden, and when someone on the
streets dies, there is almost always a memorial erected there for a few
days. Makes me think of Tony Bone who
died this past winter.
Leaving
Manna House (see how quick switching over laundry can be!), I head up to
Montgomery. But this time, instead of
returning to Madison, I turn right to go out to Poplar. On the front porches of the boarding houses
on Montgomery folks are enjoying the pleasant weather, and I get to see a few
more Manna House guests. We exchange
greetings and waves and we agree it is fine day to be outside.
When I get
to Poplar, I pause in front of what used to be Temple Israel. The building is now owned by Mississippi
Boulevard Church. The sanctuary building
is empty and missing a few bricks from its façade, but the old synagogue
buildings house a charter school.
Just a few
more blocks and I’m at the intersection of Poplar and Cleveland. I remember that it was here that two African
American women were abducted by two white Memphis police officers back in the
1940’s. The women were raped, and though
the police officers were charged with the crime, they were not convicted. These kinds of stories were quite common in
the pre-civil rights era South. Rosa
Parks got her start in civil rights work in Montgomery, Alabama organizing
around similar cases of rape of African American women.
As I
continue up Poplar, I run into several more Manna House guests. This is a main thoroughfare for people on the
streets walking various places.
I
eventually turn right onto Angelus because I am drawn to the Bettis family
cemetery that is tucked in just behind the Cash Saver near Home Depot. They farmed this land back in the early
1800’s. Almost directly across the
street from the family cemetery are some current farmers, a small community
garden organized by the neighborhood.
Coming back
onto Madison, I run into another Manna House guest. He’s pushing a cart filled with various
treasures found from dumpsters or left on people’s curbs for trash. We both agree it is a marvelous day for a
walk in Midtown.
Just a few
more blocks and I’m home. Walking connects me with the neighborhood, and with my neighbors on the streets. I have
time to talk with folks I run into, but also to think and to remember. Not a bad way to spend an hour or so.
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