Got down on my knees
Grabbed my pen and bowed my head
Tried to summon all that my heart finds true
And send it in my letter to you
Things I found out through hard times and good
I wrote 'em all out in ink and blood
Dug deep in my soul and signed my name true
And sent it in my letter to you
- Letter to You, Bruce Springsteen
In the months since we went into lockdown I have seen many messages on Toronto's streets.
Freeze Rent, Coxwell Avenue
In this post I share messages found on the street that address the COVID-19 pandemic, or issues that became more severe during the pandemic.
Unlike Bruce Springsteen's Letter (see lyrics at the start of this blog post) these messages are not signed. They are anonymous and are not associated with any business, nor approved by the city or the property owner where they are posted.
Unless indicated, all images taken with my iPhone 11 Pro.
Some incorporate art in their messaging...
Whatever, Artist Unknown, McCaul Avenue
Lomography Potsdam 100 Film
Konica Auto S3 Camera
If you know this artist, please share their social media contacts so I can properly credit them!
Wash Your Hands, Coxwell Avenue
(definitely referencing The Simpsons character, Milhouse)
By an artist named Cosmo Cam of Scarlet Begonias Tattoo Studio
Virtual Reality, Pottery Road
Keep Ur Distance
(Very Banksy-like)
Seen on the bridge connecting Riverdale Park East with Riverdale Park West
Stay Home, Stay Safe, Stay ?
Jones Avenue
Stay Safe
Queen Street West
(I see pieces by this street artist a lot around Toronto.)
If you know any of the above artists please share their contact info so I can credit them here.
Some are discouraging...
Life is Cancelled, Millwod and Overlea
Kodak T-Max 400 Film
Konica Auto S3 Camera
Life is Cancelled
Kodak Gold 200
Canon AE-1 Camera
Some are upset...
"How are we supposed to wash our hands frequently???
Washrooms at Queen's P(ark) and City Hall are open.
Here the washrooms are closed. Why?"
- Found on the Beach Boardwalk
Some spread conspiracies...
Messages found on Gerrard Street, east of Carlaw.
COVID Is A Hoax
Gerrard Street East and Victoria Park Avenue
Wake Up!!
Kingston Road
Some feel angry and keyed up for a fight...
This is How It Starts... Fear(Less), Woodbine Avenue
I suspect someone added the "Less" as it looks quite different from the rest of the text.
Fight or Obey, Woodbine Avenue
Don't Belelieve This Shit, Woodbine Avenue
Others (myself included!) are more concerned...
I Give A SHiT
Some spots have a clash of voices, sending mixed messages...
People Over Profit
Danforth & Donlands Avenue
Some encourage political activism...
Housing 4 All!!
Coxwell Avenue
120mm Kodak Portra 400
Fujica GS645W Camera
Or question our economic order...
Corona is the Virus, Capitalism is the Pandemic
Eastern Avenue
Kodak Gold 200 Film
Canon AE-1 Camera
And challenge our opposition to systems that are more compassionate and just...
"When I give food to the poor they call me a saint.
When I ask why the poor have no food they call me a communist."
Dundas Avenue East
Some address how society has changed...
Social Norms Has Been Reset to Factory Settings
Queen Street West
Kodak Ektar 100 Film
Canon AE-1 Camera
I found these words and scene very engaging, so took a number of photos there...
Also a couple in black and white...
Ilford HP5+ 400 Film
Konica Auto S3 Camera
While many messages were intended to challenge and provoke, thankfully many were made to encourage and inspire...
Coxwell Avenue
Donlands Avenue
Woodbine Avenue
Spread Love! Not Hate! Seriously!
Cherry Street and Lakeshore Boulevard East
Live More, Worry Less
Yonge Street, across from the Eaton Centre
Lomography Potsdam 100 Film
Konica Auto S3
Love Yourself
Gerrard Street East
"...it is the courage to continue that counts."
- Winston Churchill
Sammon Avenue
We Love You Ever!
Woodbine Avenue
Don't forget to Be Kind...
Be Kind - Thank You!
Kodak Color Plus 200 Film
Olympus Stylus 35-70 Zoom camera
I'll end with this heartfelt message...
You've Got A Heart of Gold
Logan Avenue
Let's all live up to that and show our hearts of gold.
There's no doubt that we need more love and kindness these days, especially as the pandemic carries on much longer than any of us would like.
Thanks for reading and viewing this post!
Visit some of my recent blog posts for more:
- Boards Up, Walls Down In Toronto - Part One and Part Two.
- Remembering the Raptors Victory Parade
- Signs and Stores of the Quarantine - Part One and Part Two.