Friday 6 November 2009

Glenmore Road, Tuesday


Stifling heat settled in early
With the mercury rising inexorably
into the high thirties.
A refugee from another time and another continent
shuffled alone along the footpath
clutching his pastries in a plain plastic bag,
His black felt bowler sitting incongruously
with velcroed sneaker, flapping shirt-sleeve
and crumpled trouser cuffs.

25 comments:

Virginia said...

Oh Julie. This is such a poignant photo. I want to go take his arm. One of your best I think.
V

Lois said...

Such a beautiful picture Julie!

Sean said...

Great picture.... it only bothers me ever so slightly the large umbrella on his head.... now I cant see him without it :)

Julie said...

VJ: Thank you. I feel sure you would have loved the view of him that I glimpsed from the newsagency causing me to fumble/dash out behind him.

Lois: Taa

Sean: mmm ... a qualitative difference between "bothers" and yesterday's "disturbs"? But seriously, yes the umbrella was a pain. But it sort of added to the overwhelming intensity of the 37.8C day.

BlossomFlowerGirl said...

A very moving photo Julie, and one that could only achieve what you have by using black and white. I feel sad for this man - his stooped shoulders tell a story. Yet he is accepting. Brings tears to my eyes.

Lachezar said...

Beautiful image. Your text puts it in a league of its own!

Joan Elizabeth said...

Julie, the photo is great but the words make all the difference. They tell the wider story and point out all the little details that can be missed in a cursory glance. I'm in awe.

Lowell said...

Yes, this is a super photo. But I want to know when you took my picture behind my back!

Ken Mac said...

your poetry and photos are excellent!

Jim said...

Terrific shot Julie.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

Susan Ellis said...

This is wonderful...it doesn't make me sad though, this is life on a hot sunny day..and even this gentleman considers it better than the alternative...his pastries say it all.
Every picture you take is laden with possibilities Julie!

Banjo52 said...

I like this guy.

brattcat said...

It's been a hard day, Julie, and to open up this image and read your words made me a little weepy. But in a very good way. Thank you for this. It's a lovely gift you've given us.

Julian Davis said...

Great photo with excellent poetry Julie !

cara said...

Great: all of it.
The atmosphere is so powerful I feel like I'm walking right behind him.

My name is Riet said...

What a beautiful photo and I love the story with it. I am going to follow you.

Ann said...

I'm enjoying your forays into b&w. Another moving shot.

Ann said...

Forgot to answer your question - yes it is low cloud, was a really strange morning, looked like a storm was coming over at first, the sky just after dawn was really dark. I have another shot taken in the same area of a hill with a band of cloud across its middle.

AB said...

At first, I thought this was an eccentric man with a parasol. Then I realised his hands were full with other objects.

Nice shot in black and white.

Lucas Mendes said...

this picture is so dramatic, congratulations.

PJ said...

At first I thought he was carrying an umbrella. The description made me feel as though I was walking right along with him.

Bergson said...

so funny this old man

Suburban Girl said...

I love your photo and the poem captures the details perfectly

Leora said...

He looks like someone I know. I bet he has good stories to tell, if he is willing to tell.

Julie said...

Thank you for your many comments and appreciation of this photograph.

I move into this street by the end of next week. I do hope I meet this gentleman again.