millions of traces in others' memories

One part of my love of cities is the details. An iron gate crafted with swirls and waves, a tiny carving on a door, a sculpture tucked into a building corner, the humor in utility hole covers.

Imagine the person who made these things, perhaps rotely accomplishing a task in a contract, perhaps spending days thinking about the design, certainly spending days, months, or years finishing. 

In cities, town, fields, villages, so many of us humans think we leave no trace. 

We all leave traces.

a piece of art

a smile, frown, look - remembered and interpreted by a child

a red coat glimpsed by someone passing on the street

millions of traces living in others' memories

Mr. Lincoln left more traces than most. I've seen his statue in Illinois, Idaho, Kentucky, Washington, DC, Indiana, and more.

Boise

Louisville

Black Forest, Germany

Yorktown, Indiana

Holzen, Lower Saxony