Grigorovitch & Markman – Baltimore Ekphrasis Project

Alina Grigorovitch and Howard Markman traded art and words. Alina shared this image, entitled “On the Hill of Trees,” with Howard:

In response, Howard wrote this poem:

Between The Glasphalt And The Stars

I remember we were 10 years old, that’s when I knew the street was on fire.
I could feel it through my bedroom walls, the heartbeat and the desire.
Or with my nose pressed up against the glass, in the back seat of my parents’ car.
Eating dinner down at Mee Jun Low, between the glasphalt and the stars.

I remember 16 years old, the street was learning our name.
From Sherman’s to Ted’s, every word that was said, burned into my brain.
Trying to decide who we would be, not seeing who we already are.
Eating dinner down at Mee Jun Low, between the glasphalt and the stars.

I remember 21 years old, I thought the streets were mine.
From the market to the bay, upstairs in No Fish Today, the whole city was my valentine.
Making music, we were making it up, making out behind the Marble Bar
Eating dinner down at Mee Jun Low, between the glasphalt and the stars

                  These glasses aren’t rose,
It’s as plain as the nose on these good old days of hit and run.
Still every now and then, sitting here with you my friend.
Better days are still to come

Now I walk these streets, they dance to a beat that I can barely recall.
Or that I never knew, and all that it grew, begins to bend and then fall.
As it should be and then there’s you and me, with a piano and a guitar.
(singing about) Eating dinner down at Mee Jun Low,
between the glasphalt and the stars

* * * * *

Howard shared these lyrics with Alina (listen to the song here):

Welcome to Smalltimore

And when I walk down the street,
all the faces that I meet I’ve met before
Welcome to Smalltimore

I was driving across the bridge last night,
I was driving across the bay.
Thinking about who I’d meet,
what they’d want me to say.
Harbor lights from a harbor town,
It’s my home on the chosen shore.

And when I walk down the street,
all the faces that I meet I’ve met before
Welcome to Smalltimore

I’ve listened to all the stories,
and now some of them are mine.
Like my grandfather before me,
I’m still standing in that line.
A city full of strangers,
that sometimes opens its door.

And when I walk down the street,
all the faces that I meet I’ve met before

It ain’t the heat, it’s the humanity.
It ain’t the weather wearing out my sanity.
It’s just every where I turn,
another lesson I didn’t learn or tried to ignore.

Memories on every block,
From the formstone to the Marble Bar.
Huddled, muddled masses,
and they all know who you are.
It’s comfort and it’s claustrophobic
it’s a side show that’s for sure.

And when I walk down the street,
all the faces that I meet I’ve met before
Welcome to Smalltimore

From the Domino sign to the B & O line,
shinning through the years and the rain.
I see the city they saw,
and I can see why they came.
From the east to the west, the worst and the best,
they all came looking for more.

And when I walk down the street,
all the faces that I meet I’ve met before
Welcome to Smalltimore.

In response, Alina made this image, entitled “Out From the Secret World”: