Sidewalk Cleaning: Alfred's Plaque

Here is Alfred, proud and excited, enjoying the honor of having his poem "Corrido Blanco" included in the Berkeley Poetry Walk. I have borrowed the photograph from Lorna Dee Cervantes's blog. Lorna was there sharing in Alfred's excitement. Last month as a way to memorialize him, three of Alfred's students--Robert Reyes, Harold Terezón, and Yo--got together to brighten up his plaque. Here are some photographs from our sidewalk cleaning/reading in memory of Alfred Arteaga.

This photograph is a "before" picture. That's Harold looking down at all the crud, grime, and even gum on Alfred's plaque.

Harold and I get to work. All three of us took turns scrubbing and reading from Alfred's works. Robert is taking the photographs; that's why you haven't seen him yet.

Harold starts to put some real muscle into the task.

Some reading. Some thinking.

From left to right: Yo; Robert; Harold. A woman going to the 24Hour Fitness down the street was kind enough to take this photo.

"After": Here is Alfred's plaque. Read it.
After the sidewalk cleaning/reading we went to Triple Rock and had some pints. We talked of doing it (the celebrating of Alfred's plaque) again. There's his birthday, May 2; there's the anniversary of his death, July 4; there's any day we might be walking down Addison St. At the bar we shared our best memories of him. Alfred loved everyone, and everyone loved Alfred.