Don't Disrupt this Groove
Juneteenth. 2026.
Waxing crescent in Leo.
Nine of pentacles.
Chiron, the “wounded healer” entering Taurus, the sign of the body, material, earth on Juneteenth is incredible.
What a day.
Vignettes.
“I entirely expect to hear As by Stevie Wonder at some point today.”
My thought as I ate my breakfast this morning.
Idlewild.
Coffee cold foam over cold brew with a shot of espresso.
“Coffee Coffee Coffee”
Served in a Guinness glass.
“I find that the sober homies do end up developing quite the appetite for coffee.”
Finished mine as MF DOOM’s Hey! began to play.
14th and Comal.
“I got a bunch of cyclists with a bunch of candy…
They have a permit.
…
Alright y’all come through.”
We proceed to move on to our position in the parade.
As by Stevie Wonder plays right as we move through the blockade.
“Aaaaand there it is.”
MLK Jr. Boulevard
Parade starts.
We’re following the Revolving Evolution of Culture Loving African-americans in Motion (RE-CLAIM) drum group.
Groove immediately established.
At no point will it ever dissipate.
18th & Chicon
“We gotta remember to save some candy for the people at the end of the parade!”
16th & Chicon
“Yo is all your candy gone?”
“Yeah. The kids are excited man, taking handfuls!”
“Ahh as they should!”
The drums acting as the pulse of the city at this point.
14th & Chicon
The clouds open.
Raining on our parade.
Not a care in the world.
Just as the drums opened the clouds to bring us relief from the heat, they close them back to bring us relief from the rainfall.
Rosewood
“Aye let’s get these kids some candy!”
More homies join us.
Rosewood & Hargrave
“Yo play Not Like Us and not the clean version either!”
“What’re we doing now?”
“Off to Nickel City!”
Hargrave Street
I find a five dollar bill in the middle of the road.
“Haha reparations???”
Webberville Road
“Aye who’s leading the ride here?”
“There’s a lot of ways to Nickel City, maybe not my preferred route but eh…”
San Saba Street
I see some art scattered throughout the street.
Watercolor paintings on postcards.
One has a note on the back…
I double back to read it.
“Once again I am questioning choices and my self-esteem is experiencing a historic low. I must remember all the pain. All the unmatched love and where my own delusions steered me away from a path of peace. I want to be known for my kindness, generosity, my food, wisdom, creativity, and audacity to keep dreaming inspite of how hard it feels to get out of this whole. One day at atime. My dreams are big, my heart bigger. Everything”
I pick it up, and fold it around the five dollar bill.
Nickel City
“When you gonna start playing bass?”
“I’m clinically depressed honestly, it’s hard to start new things…”
“Honestly… if you’re depressed you gotta start playing the bass. You’ll feel so much better. Transmutate that energy.”
“Nothing bad will come from it… what bad can come from you playing an instrument?”
“If not an instrument at least write or paint… move that energy somehow.”
“Yes you have to put it into the physical world so you can better understand it… decipher what it is you’re feeling.”
“Honestly it makes sense that you would play bass too.”
“Are yall talking about playing bass? I’m tryna get rid of a bass guitar right now…”
“Look at that… there’s the universe right there at your door with a battering ram. You oughta take that bass.”
Home
“You girls wanna go for a bike ride?”
“YES!”
Wishbone
“Y’all gonna turn around and go home or keep going?”
“We’re gonna keep going!”
“Oh cool. Well… lead the way.”
Bedtime
“Look dad… my tooth finally came out.”
“Dope. Happy June-teeth.”