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Most people paid him no heed. He was just one of many taking the clean air, the salt waters, early one morning between Christmas and New Year. The dog-end of the year; marrow-less for the lonely, the depressed, and those living under sentence. He was promenading not on the friable sands that splint the shins, yet neither on the smooth compact sands where the foam hisses.
Attired from the men’s aisle of Target, gaunt and swathed, with no concessions made for place: t-shirt and slacks rather than swimmers, sneakers rather than thongs, the reversed cane fitting awkwardly into the palm of his hand. The fawn slacks hanging from gaunt buttocks.
The sun ever-rising in front and the shadow of nimbus painting the cloud behind, he stepped in a measured manner until, without so much as a by-your-leave, clumsily about-faced and returned – somewhere.
He moved in the no-man’s-land of the preoccupied.
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30 comments:
A dignified trudge on the beach, perhaps recovering from something, I notice the cane in his hand. Visually, the blue shirt with the blue water and bright sunlight make a great photo.
Happy New Year!
Three Rivers Daily Photo
Maybe taking a constitutional after an operation?
Happy New Year and all the best for 2010.
Cheers.
Melbourne Daily Photo
Another truly outstanding post. See my comments on yesterday's image. It's not pleasant to be reminded of aging, but you've done it eloquently.
very profound and such details. you need to write novels.
Alors c'est comment 2010 ;o)) Je te souhaite une Bonne et Heureuse Année 2010 pour toi et toute ta famille
You are into the new year while I am still in the old as we sit on the teeter-totter of time zones. Happy blogging to us both.
You have the sun, the beach and a New Year. We have torrential rain and still four hours of the old one...
Happy New Year!
The only guarantee in life is change...
Happy New Year!!!
Happy new year.
Julie, you are singing whale songs with these posts, long, beautiful tales that look at the span of a life, at the dance of a species, at the tiny details and the overarching themes of existence. And you do it with a few images and some well placed words. Happy New Year to you and thank you for the gift you share with us each day.
Happy New Year Julie, your ever watchful eye and creative heart are finding great imagery and wise words as you walk the beach. May you continue to enjoy delightful hours walking the sands this year.
The reason could be as mundane as anything, but the way you wrote your ruminations is much more beautiful.
Wishing you and your family a peaceful and love-filled new year.
As always, your words mesmerize me. I harbor a lot of envy my friend! :)
BTW, I thought the theme was CHANGE. Well I had to dig for that one so i won't CHANGE it ! HA
Happy New Year my friend. Just think, in a few months you will be holding the babe!
V
Wishing you peace and happines in this new year from Saudi Arabia!
Thanks for visit, Julie. Happy New Year to you.
May the new year provide you with safe and sound steps into joy, health and happiness.
Chapeau! upon this entry of yours.
Another brilliant observation about the human condition, Miss Julie. Have a great New Year's Eve and sail into the new year with joy! Much love, P
Happy New Year Julie. Have I mentioned that I love your pictures?
Your sensitive and beautiful writing so perfectly matches the photographs. Older people, especially when they live alone, can disappear into their own worlds but I see courage in this man even tho he appears ill. He's not remained in his house or apartment and stagnated, he's got up and out and there's a determination in his walk, even tho there's perhaps pain too.
As Bette Davis said 'Old age ain't no place for sissies.'
I wish you a happy, healthy and peaceful 2010, Julie.
Great colour and focus. You set everyone off into thinking mode. I agree with Jilly.
This is a touching post...Wishing you a very Happy New Year!
Amazing, so well written, Julie. For the first time, in a long time the story(for me) and its implications for us all far outdistanced the image. Nice work!
Beautifull pictures. I wish you and all your family and friends a very Happy New Year.
Cheers from very cold Paris this first morning of 2010
Interesting post. Hope you have a wonderful 2010!
This is my first visit, Julie, and your gift and facility with words is amazing. I couldn't help but notice how bright, clean and crisp this man's clothing is and the fact that he is out in the sun walking in the sand with a cane tells me that he is pushing himself in a positive direction.
Thanks for giving us all an opportunity to get involved in your images. Happy New Year!
Love this. You captured this man absolutely. His mental intensity. His solitary-ness. So I sent him blessings and wrapped him round with love. Thanks for finding him. Thanks for your matching words.
This is a beautiful post! Loved both photos and words.
My best wishes for 2010, Julie!
No one, with lens or pen, chisels better images than the author of Sydney Eye. Splendid post, Julie!
What an interesting contemplation on a seemingly ordinary activity!
Love it - the contrast, the story, and the quiet elegance of the gentleman out for a stroll.
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