Thank you Susie--I relate to the down and out feeling of this holiday time. I love all of your natural imagery, and also the description of the man without teeth. I don't recall seeing him, but I have many times seen the young man without the leg begging at CVS in Lenox.. So hard to see. Such mixed feelings come up in me.
I especially related to the need to focus on loved ones, rather than "branching out."
I felt that it was important to allow the range of feelings to surface. I do appreciate the opportunity to go deeper instead of filtering out with a wide angle lens.
My father was a parish pastor and would definitely have stopped for this toothless man. Maybe given him a ride or gloves or food, but most certainly he would have asked for his story and he would have listened. I really admired that about my dad and I want to be like that too. Only, as fearless as I seem to be in many situations, here I hesitate. Like you, I don't want to intrude, to gawk, to presume. And then there's the matter of safety as a woman. Still, these faces stay with me, these people that I pass but live in another world. Always, but for the grace of God, that could be me. It's haunting. I don't have the answers. Just wanted to say that I relate. It's easy and comfortable and cozy to be in our own little worlds, even when our world is our car. And, the separation can also be profound. The question is always: how and when do we reach out, reach across, and make connection?
Thank you Susie--I relate to the down and out feeling of this holiday time. I love all of your natural imagery, and also the description of the man without teeth. I don't recall seeing him, but I have many times seen the young man without the leg begging at CVS in Lenox.. So hard to see. Such mixed feelings come up in me.
I especially related to the need to focus on loved ones, rather than "branching out."
I felt that it was important to allow the range of feelings to surface. I do appreciate the opportunity to go deeper instead of filtering out with a wide angle lens.
A beautuful, sensitive piece. I loved it. Michael
I appreciate that, Michael. There remains the subtle pressure to be merry.
Sweet...and sad.
I love the Portugese word for that.....saudade, meaning longing, melancholy. I'm in that place a lot these days. Covid-related but not entirely.
My father was a parish pastor and would definitely have stopped for this toothless man. Maybe given him a ride or gloves or food, but most certainly he would have asked for his story and he would have listened. I really admired that about my dad and I want to be like that too. Only, as fearless as I seem to be in many situations, here I hesitate. Like you, I don't want to intrude, to gawk, to presume. And then there's the matter of safety as a woman. Still, these faces stay with me, these people that I pass but live in another world. Always, but for the grace of God, that could be me. It's haunting. I don't have the answers. Just wanted to say that I relate. It's easy and comfortable and cozy to be in our own little worlds, even when our world is our car. And, the separation can also be profound. The question is always: how and when do we reach out, reach across, and make connection?
All questions, not answers. Your father sounds like he was in the right line of work.
Hard times indeed. Here's hoping for a beautiful spring...some day.
I don't think we can wait that long. Will have to find the beauty that's hiding in the now.