Thursday, March 28, 2024 -
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Corona angels

It’s amazing to witness all the corona angels this pandemic has brought to us. One curious kindness I can’t help but notice is all the inspirational art that has sprung up all around us here on the Upper West Side of New York City.

Walking down familiar streets, or walking the paths in Riverside Park — they have been transformed. Even waiting on a social-distanced grocery line has its artistic surprises.

Sidewalk chalk art has always been part of the community here. On any given week I can be surprised by a beautiful, colorfully executed quote. My feet will pause, and after reading its content I continue on my way, now with a spring in my step.

But since the coronavirus, the sidewalks and walls of this neighborhood have practically transformed into community message boards or houses of worship of sorts, holding what are tantamount to inspirational snippets of sermons; or maybe just encouragement from dear friends.

Our sidewalks, walking paths and walls have been animated. These sidewalk-art elves are everywhere, anonymously spreading their cheer, support, encouragement and love to all of us who walk this city. I don’t know when they emerge to spread this fairy dust, but it’s noted and appreciated.

Last week on a walk in Riverside Park, at the side of one of the park benches nestled among Spring’s blushing pink cherry tree groves, I happened upon an adorably colorful exercise loop laid out by the bench’s perimeter. I followed it to a T and got in a little work out, while feeling guided by an invisible personal trainer — which I was. Just that this time it was manifested in the form of a chalk artist elf.

A couple of days later in the very same spot the chalk art was switched to a sweet scene, beckoning children (I suppose I’m a child at heart) with farm animals; a piglet and a lamb, with jumping instructions. It goes without saying, bright colored hopscotch squares are everywhere.

Last Friday, erev Shabbat, I was online at Trader Joe’s. What’s become the norm here is a strip of bright colored tape stuck to the sidewalk in six-feet increments. As the line was snaking forward I glimpsed upcoming sidewalk art in shades of blue. As I reached it, lo, it’s a Shabbat Shalom mural of blue Shabbat candlesticks, replete with the details of that evening’s candle lighting time! 7:27 p.m., to be exact.

Around the corner from me, a blank wall has been transformed into street inspiration. In minimalist clean lines of black and white execution it now reads in looping script: “This too shall pass” floating above a black silhouette of New York City’s skyline.

Last night, I decided on an evening walk. I had been out earlier at noon, sharp, to be sure to catch the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels fighter jets’ flyover to honor our dedicated healthcare workers. I saw the planes shoot out from behind the George Washington Bridge as they jetted ever so quickly soaring over Manhattan across a perfectly blue bird sky. They were gone before you knew it, leaving an emotional trail of pride and gratitude along with the whispy white traces still in the sky.

Now darkness was descending, Riverside was illuminated by lamplight, when I came across this chalk art quote by my feet:

“Here on this bridge, between starshine and clay,
my one hand holding tight
my other hand; come celebrate
with me that everyday
something has tried to kill me
and has failed.”
Lucille Clifton, Stay Strong NYC

I paused in this late dusk, bathed in setting light, to internalize this message.

It’s been raining here a lot, I mused. All this art is getting washed away daily. Yet come the next morning or night and there are fresh new and colorful renditions.

I wondered, who are these mystery elves spreading their wings and golden hands to bring joy and encouragement to thousands of us New Yorkers?

Copyright © 2020 by the Intermountain Jewish News



Tehilla Goldberg

IJN columnist | View from Central Park


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