Mark Rothko- Red on Maroon, Mural, Section 4, 1959

Hearing this, Joe was reassured. Beauties have their weaknesses. Buildings have their flaws. He’d seek out the lonely between walls of imposing buildings. He’d come down with no fire to light and hope there was another brave enough to ignite some roll, some feeling of inclusion. He wanted to live beyond the weight of his memory. He wanted to step outside to talk to the strong, beautiful ones, even if this meant finding out they were weak and fragile as anyone else. They were as weak as him; but they were here. That has to count for something, now doesn’t it. And it wasn’t a question.

- Mary Elizabeth Borkowski, Cold Turkey (2008)