Category Archives: ghosts

Changes

Looking at old pictures, I am stricken
By how we've changed. Even those I 
Did not know, never encountered but
In photos, are amended as they age.
My mother was so dewy, so fresh as
A girl, as a young woman; that sad 
Speculation in her eyes, now in mine,
Reflected time passing. Her mother,
Staring out of a frame, shows me a
Likeness that pleases me, as much as
My mother's eyes in my mirror do. It
Is heredity, my own, depicted in my 
Face. Even if it is not the same face
I find in that photograph from 1990,
There is something I recognize there.
Something of my own. As we get older
I have said there is something generic
In our appearance. It is harder to hold 
The individuality of youth; harder to
Maintain the vibrance of middle-age.
I am stricken by how we've changed.

My ghost story

It was a bit of a tease when I said “There will always be ghosts,” so let me elaborate.

I can’t guarantee that my story will clarify anything but I must try.

Some nearly 50 years ago I was settling into a sweet apartment in an old New York walk-up. I wandered into the bedroom. I immediately sensed a presence.

Now, I am not especially susceptible to the spiritual. In fact, I have a level-headed appreciation for the rational. I have alwsys endeavored, however, to be open-minded. I was even more so in those days.

I hedge my bets against a greater power by labeling myself an agnostic. Who knows? There may well have been a specter inhabiting 5A. He (and his gender was determined) walked about as I turned on the floor lamp.

I spoke aloud to my cohabitant, asking him to enjoy our mutual space. I also suggested that I would not interfere with his activities as long as he left me to my own.

After this, no flickering light would ever disturb me again.

He did not reappear. But his proximity on that first night was palpable. We met and remained friendly at a distance.

In the next 40 years, I modernized the space to suit me. My phantasma voiced no objection.

I mentioned him to noone. My discretion was rewarded as my friend never troubled me during the long length of my tenancy.

There are always ghosts

The headlines focused attention on the owners of The Post, who, having been thwarted in their proposed demolition of the block-wide development, were looking to sell.

Wondering why buyers stayed away from the Kalikow deal for City and Suburban, my friend JH thought perhaps the property was haunted.

I said “there are always ghosts, my dear.”

Ghosts, however, do not deter developers. The plaque designating the entire property from nose to tail a landmark did.

In our case, history compelled a higher authority than the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (NYPAP) to confer it the status. City and Suburban is in the National Register of Historic Places.

National Historic Landmark status is an honor (and a burden to owners) that has extended to some 2600 sites. It forbids anyone from making substantive changes to buildings under its umbrella.

New York City’s federally landmarked properties include many you would think of off the top of your head. It also encompasses some that might surprise.

Macy’s and Cooper Union are on the list. I am wondering how the designation has affected Tiffany’s plans for expansion. Since I haven’t walked this route for a while so I don’t know what has become of the Soho Cast Iron District. I can’t believe the area hasn’t circumvented the intent of landmark selection.