ROUGH EDGES

There is another city, away from the glitz on its rough edges. A place where railroads cross, trucks run and work is done.

Here you will find the pieces that make the city work, build buildings, fuel engines and factories. Some are vital and humming, others forgotten scraps. All supported by a legion of workers, the keepers of the city.

Once in a while you may find an artist or inventor working in humble surroundings with big dreams. Most often though, there are just workers whose dreams are measured by long days, a paycheck and being a part of these special places. They are proud of what they do, not afraid to wear worn gloves and dirt on collars.

If you wander these rough edges with your camera, rewards abound. You find colors and beauty only forged by the wear of time. You realize life is not always the well ordered place you are used to. Special skill are needed in the rough edges to live and work there.

The initial risk and trepidation you feel going to these rough edges soon disappear as you find a new appreciation to the view of the city and what makes it.

David Young