tickle of dried grass
weak winter sun
warming the pages
warming the pages
Walking through a pocket park in the city, I noticed a young man lying on the grass reading a paperback book. It was a mild day - maybe in the low 50's. He had long haired pulled into a ponytail and strong arms bared to the sun. There was an old-style scooter some distance from him, looking like it was made from a hodgepodge of discarded trike parts. Both the man and the scooter seemed like separate entities, brought together by the light and the sheltering trees. I walked until I framed the photo with both the man and the trike, the globe lights in the background adding a feeling of nostalgia. I don't often take photos of strangers, though I'm acutely aware of them, watching and sometimes listening as I tell myself silent stories about what I'm seeing. We all have stories, some intensely private, others displayed for the world to interpret.
Mindful Writing Challenge
I took this photo zooming a bit on the iPhone which degraded the clarity. I wanted only ambiance. I like the feel of it, so I decided to make it part of my Small Stone today. (Edited in Snapseed and TitleFix.)
Mindful Writing Challenge
I took this photo zooming a bit on the iPhone which degraded the clarity. I wanted only ambiance. I like the feel of it, so I decided to make it part of my Small Stone today. (Edited in Snapseed and TitleFix.)
i like it, too! and i like your descriptions of him and his scooter trike. :)
ReplyDeleteThere are two stories here that I want to know about. The young man and his book. What is so powerful that he is using his time in the park to read. I like that. But, the scooter is a mystery. Where is the child that rode it into the park, why is it just sitting there, where did the child/scooter come from, and where are they going? Nice capture with the light and shadows, btw.
ReplyDeleteWhen I see a photo like this, I wonder what the real story is, did he ride on the scooter ? what was he reading? And, look at the warm day, maybe Denver is turning up some heat for you right now. Cheers from Jean
ReplyDeleteWhat a unusual shot of an unusual man. I do the same thing and make up stories about those I see. Makes people watching fun.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see you've found yourself some sun, a patch of green, and a bit more warmth. The way you framed your photograph makes me feel the scooter belongs to the man on the grass. There's a sense of timelessness here.
ReplyDeleteAlways fun to come upon someone reading and so concentrated on their book, paying no attention to anyone around them.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo. Interesting moment. Love the tree shadows in the foreground.
ReplyDeleteI like this very much. I make up stories about people anytime when I'm waiting in line or in a crowded situation. It is calming to remember that everyone has a story and a life (even if the one I make up is the wrong one, they still have one.)
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about photos of strangers. I usually don't include people in my photos unless, like this man, they would be totally unrecognizable because of light or distance. I like to think photos are stories.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the guy and the scooter are connected - for some reason, I think not. Funny, it seems that I am in the minority in that I only rarely make up stories about strangers (based on the other comments)...
ReplyDeleteIt sounded like cabin fever was burning in Breck. Glad you went to the warmth.
Great shot- well worth the creeping up. Stories abound.
ReplyDelete