empty city

.     There are some things that just stick in your mind, random things that likely have no meaning to anyone else, but they they stick anyway.  That's what this painting is about.  A few years ago, Misty and I went on a road trip, one of those fun impromptu, let's just get in the car and see where we end up type of trips.  We ended up halfway across the country and travelling through 3 or 4 states.  On our travels, I remember a certain city, I won't mention the name because I wouldn't want to insult anyone who has the misfortune of living in this town or may actually, for some inexplicable reason, like it.  We stopped for gas and something to eat in this "place".  It had to be the saddest city I'd ever seen.  Sad because you could just tell it was one of those places that the townsfolk described as being "a great place when..." And I know they'd be telling the truth.  All along the streets of the all but abandoned downtown core, you could see fading monuments to the city's former glory.  Once brightly coloured painted storefronts, now sun faded and peeling, lined the streets and despite the early fall sun, it was eerily quiet.  There was hardly a soul around, and the handful of people we did see, in the gas station and the restaurant, and on the street, had the same faded look as the buildings, as if their lives, along with the city's had lost all colour and just went gray. It kinda felt like a giant cloud just enveloped the place and everyone in it.  They were friendly enough, the people we met, making small talk, smiling, from their mouths, not their eyes.  I couldn't help feeling sad for them and for the town.  It was an uncomfortable sadness because from my newcomer's perspective, I could see some light, some potential to restore colour and life to the city, if only someone had enough spark left in them to try.  That, and I could hardly wait to get the hell outta there!  I wonder what it looks like now; if someone did have enough spark left to bring the city back to life?  Do I dare take another road trip?

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