Turnaround

The neighbourbood defines you. The neighbourhood confines you.

Rain patters, intently carving a corner of an all-too familiar street, known by a name, unknown in general, a corner so common, it will not draw as much as a second glance.

The corners will twist into each other and form a kaleidoscope revealing different hues. Every corner will have a story to tell. The stories, based on a premise. A bird will form a nest, a dog will be run over, a man will get stabbed.

The neighbourhood will slowly gain shape. A reputation. You, being a part of it, will be branded. A bunch of actions will be deemed acceptable, a pattern will emerge. When viewed through the kaleidoscope, the picture will be complete. 

All the stories you read over a cup of tea on those quaint mornings are a byproduct of the neighbourhood. If you ask the corner, it will volunteer to scream. It will be eager to shed the reputation. But alas! the rain pours again and extinguishes the fire. 

The neighbourhood defines you. The neighbourhood confines you. 

The kids will kick the ball in the streets, oblivious to the stories. They will keep an eye out, distracted. They will grow up to become alert citizens, the concern limited to the corner. They will huddle together and discuss stories, the very ones that unsettle the elders. A generation of the god-fearing, law abiding will be reared. And the universe will fold within itself and park in the corner.

Clusters of flowers sit next to a hash of cigarette stubs. The flowers will blossom, turning a blind eye to the smoke. They are rooted and they are proud of the roots.

The neighbourhood defines you. The neighbourhood confines you.

So tell me about your street. Does it bustle with a cacaphony of sounds, chirping birds, bantering kids, approving elders? Does it take more than a pothole or a gunshot to bring it to a standstill? Does it weep at night when nobody's looking? Does it reveal all it has seen?

A street will have to take it all without question. We don't have to. You can change the signboard if it gets rusted, sweep the dirt away, eliminate the scum, keep the city clean.

The neighbourhood defines you. The neighbourhood confines you. Unless you ask the street. She will tell.