Saint Helen's Steeple

The steeple from the church rises up over this neighbourhood, pointing, like a finger to the sky. It is a sentry over the rooftops of the crowded houses, the narrow streets, the back allies... And though I cannot see it from this place in the back yard, I know that it is there.. I could point in it's direction through brick and trees.. it has a dominant presence over this landscape.. it presses itself upon the consciousness of this neighbourhood...

This area is busy.. there is always something moving.. cars, streetcars, working families and the downtrodden.. all huddled into the lee of the railway tracks on the slant toward downtown..here, it is gritty and sublime... slimy dangerous bars with underworld and desperate people jostle against neo-hippy granola crunchers in the organic shops.. but all us move under the shadow and watch of the church steeple...

Today, the normal din of the streets - the cars and rails, shouts of children or men fighting.. all of that changes when the bells start to ring... The clear metal sound floats over the roofs, loud and distinct.. pulling your thoughts toward the steeple, whatever else you may have been doing stops.. like being pulled awake from a dream, your focus changes..

I do not know what the bells are ringing out.. a death, a marriage, a birth... a gathering... There will be people gathered on the front steps of the church.. grey men in jackets and hats.. short, plump women, dresses too tight.. the youth on the edges of the lawn, awkward and wanting to play,  teenagers caught between the two, not sure how to act, torn between proper respect and abandon.... A coffin or white dress... the gatherings are the same - it is only the emotion that changes... and maybe the shoes..

The bells ring out some occasion in this neighbourhood...a profound change in the lives of some members of this community.... and for a brief moment, we are made aware - to take note.. to perhaps pay attention to people that we do not know... The bells ring out some common human experience - love, loss... The bells ring out their joy or sorrow... and so it is shared...

The steeple rises above this neighbourhood, a sentry. A reminder that we are all in this together.