Convalescing just downstream of the Trash Trap on the Malden River. Near where the river begins, or at least where the river emerges from where it got buried underground about a century ago. Now hemmed in here by industry and groceries and restaurants and office buildings and idling trucks. But with the city’s back turned to it, the river becomes a narrow oasis. Mallards visit us. A turtle paddles by with its head above the water, looking, looking. And upstream of the Trash Trap, which catches trash before it can pollute further down the Malden and into the Mystic, we spotted cormorants, and herons stepping delicately down logs and flapping their great wide wings. The river is said to be just over 2 miles long and last night I got it in me to try to draw the whole thing. Wish me luck. Here’s a start.
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