Field Entry NL–001: Commencement
Written sometime in early spring 2025
I begin my project after a short, quiet afternoon at the Golden Owl. I needed a literary snack, and today's selection included a book on caring for indoor plants and another on "city magic." It was the latter that gave me the inspiration—along with the spirit of spontaneous creativity that is so freely expressed in this space.
I am fascinated by the hidden, sleeping memories that have been lost, buried, or neglected. Every city, I surmise, has them, and I desperately want to discover the hidden energetic imprints of this historic coastal town.
It is said that every geographical place has a guardian or spirit presiding over it. What might the guardian of New London look like? Would its metaphorical or astral appearance reflect the city's painful past, including its connections to the slave trade? Would it be high-spirited? Or might its state directly reflect the present condition of the city—not proud or boastful, but old, weathered, and culturally eclectic?
Would it reflect more of its colonial roots?
These are among the questions I hope to answer as a new inhabitant.