Homeless in Vancouver: Hanging on for dear life in the back alleys

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      Two examples of tenacious life from the back alleys of Fairview.

      From Saturday (May 3) afternoon: a delicate flowering plant growing out of a tiny crack in an otherwise seamless concrete wall. And not growing close to the ground either but at least at waist height.

      It’s brand-new this spring. Both the building manager and I took an moment to appreciate its beauty and chutzpah.

      Stanley Q. Woodvine

      Here a bit of moss that has found an improbable purchase on a thickly over-painted stucco wall. The closer you look, the more amazing it gets, particularly when you realize that this photo isn’t recent: t’s from three months ago during the winter.

      It was a cold night when I took the photos, but you can see how the moss had created its own lush micro-climate. 

      Click the images to enlarge them.

      Stanley Q. Woodvine

      Stanley Q. Woodvine is a homeless resident of Vancouver who has worked in the past as an illustrator, graphic designer, and writer.

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