Welcome back, you enthusiastically greet Mister Faded Glory.
Yes, it’s good to be back, he lies.
But nonetheless, the pilgrimage to Seattle was all things — fun, illuminating, relaxing, and refreshing. Instantly, the Emerald City (or Queen City, depending on who you ask) has become one of Mr. Faded Glory’s favorites. Rather than bore my loyal readers (yes, both of you) with tales of my trip, however, I’m checking in just briefly for now. The novel will be complete sometime next week, and I’ll resume a semiregular blogging schedule after that.
Above is a picture of one of two memorial benches in a small park nearly adjacent to Kurt Cobain‘s former Seattle home and site of his suicide.
The shabby, scruffy park is memorialized with chicken and Sharpie scratches on its two benches. It exists somewhat — well, completely– off the beaten path, in an affluent area of Seattle. In fact, approaching the park is a surreal feeling. It’s readily apparent that the park stands for Kurt, it’s out of place. It’s a tiny, tattered lawn with ramshackle benches and few lush trees, residing in a wealthy, elaborate Seattle neighborhood. But it’s there. It’s barren. It’s dilapidated. It’s askew. It’s eerily quiet. And, it’s, forever, Kurt’s.
The only problem, for fans hoping to pay tribute — is that it’s extremely difficult to locate. (Especially without a car, I might add.)
Seattle has attempted to shear its grunge image, as all guidebooks, Web sites, and chamber postings say. Rarely do they include the whereabouts of Cobain‘s former house or the memorial park. Finding Hendrix‘ grave is no trouble — so whither the memorial for Kurt? Unmarked, unnoticed, unbeknownst to most residents. As if the city, the world, music moved on — hoping to distance itself from the sordid, untimely suicide of Cobain. No memorials, no tombstone, no nothing.
Kurt probably, actually may want it that way. Which is fair, and certainly understandable. Kurt, his legacy, and all of his fans prefer to offer our own understated, personal tributes. He certainly would not have wanted his death to prompt some sort of bizarre, morbid, tourist trap. (See: Jim Morrison‘s grave in Paris). Which is fine.
However, our world doesn’t work like that. Our tributes can’t just be in our own solitude, listening to music, reading Kurt’s writings, or simply reminiscing.
Some loyal fans of Cobain and Nirvana (Mr. Faded Glory included) may want to visit the park, for our own personal reasons. Call it closure, call it gratitude, call it what you want. Fans need a symbol. Something concrete. Something existing – tangible – which we can fixate our memories, reflections, etc., etc. upon. This is not just true for a fallen idol — but loved ones. Events past. Friends lost.
Just the memories are never enough. A place, a photo, an item — those things all provide us without outlets. For Nirvana fans, the nondescript bench and faux park, unbeknownst to 90 percent of the world — well, that’s actually somewhat perfect. We just need to be able to find it.
And though, on one hand, it seems intuitive that if Nirvana was as important to you as to Mr. Faded Glory, you would find the location yourself. On the other hand, it seems that there should be some sort of guide to those of us seekers, just hoping to say thank you, and needing to somehow pay personal tributes. And so, there it is.
Kurt’s Park is on Lake Washington Boulevard, up a hill, about 200 yards south ofBryant-Denny Park, which overlooks Lake Washington. Bryant-Denny Park is marked at its circle drive.
Kurt’s old house is barely visible from the street and certainly not open to slack-jawed gawkers, but it’s in the 100 block and west side of Lake Washington Boulevard, behind large trees in a secluded area. The park is also on the west side of the street, and two benches sit in it. Like I said, it’s almost chilling to see the desolate little park in an ornate, affluent neighborhood.
If you’re driving to the park your best bet is to catch Lake Washington Boulevard at its intersection withMadison , following the road west, winding up and down a few curves. Nice view of Lake Washington, Seattle proper, and Bellevue, also, if you’re looking.
i would like to sit on that bench for a moment or two and imagine……