Crossroads

A recent book names an Obijwe town called AAZHOOMOG, crossroads in the Anishinaabe language. And as I say the word "crossroads" I think of the well known rendition of the song done by Ry Cooder. The place where roads cross can be significant, but also may not be of importance. You may be out in the middle of nowhere, see on a map a seemingly significant crossing of roads somewhere, and expect a gas station, cafe or more (?). If the road crosses a river where there are possible or described settlements on either side, you may have something there too. I think of the Twin Cities in Minnesota where the University of Minnesota is on both sides, and St. Paul & Minneapolis are (seemingly) divided there. I have always found the word to be potentially haunting, with possible promise.

Intersections are a version of crossroads, within a city or town. Some of these do not even have stop signs, much less stop lights. But often these city/town crossroads have power to them, and I have heard some described as "power intersections," where more is going on than meets the eye. There may be some strong businesses there, or organizations which carry some weight, perhaps a church. So what?, as Andy Warhol would have said. What was the first intersection or crossroads to affect your life, the first crossroads?