Patti Ross ~ EC Poetry and Prose

Patti Ross lived in Baltimore City from 2010 to 2013, just one block south of North Avenue on St. Paul Street. She found herself in a neighborhood somewhat blighted, slighted by its own city. The chess moves of gentrification were becoming more evident and in a short time MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art) would move in to change the face of North Avenue between Howard and St. Paul Street forever. Those from the neighborhood saw their displacement coming. They preached about it to whomever would listen and often Patti did. As an advocate for the poor and marginalized she wanted to share the stories and illuminate the voices of those forced to live with daily pauperism. While walking her dog often through the neighborhood she met several homeless and drug abuse individuals many of whom others walked passed or scoffed at regularly. Patti stopped to listen to their stories some believable some not but she listened each time they wanted to share. Through this process after months she and some of those who live on the streets of Baltimore became friends and both began to look forward to their next sighting of each other. St. Paul Street Provocations gives proclamation to her friend's stories and their lives lived in a city called “Charm.”