Return to Woodstock

I took a drive to Woodstock recently. The signs of the old days are falling apart amidst the occasional vibrant banner of peace and love - a once noble idea! I ran across Santa in a run-down flea market near a bus, now stranded in a parking lot with no wheels and clearly nowhere to go. He wasn't fat or jolly nor holy or noble but rather faded and pale, a little worn from centuries of consumerism. Not far away a stone carver was busy carving a eulogy - probably to replace the chipped and faded tile that once proclaimed a welcome to the town that endured 500,000 ... now a few tourist stop by on their way to some other place. They seem curious and lost. When I left town I spotted a figure in my rear view mirror - a lone singer in the park with guitar in hand and an open case next to him on the ground - the case was empty. -

lance Manning fall of 2009