A Stranger
He was alone and looked wet as if he may have just washed himself in the nearby public restroom. The lake was deserted and he was first to sit there on a bright cold morning. He removed the top from an old drink bottle and then removed his shoes and socks. Quickly he poured the contents over his toes and washed his feet. He pulled his socks over his cold, wet feet and laced back up his shoes. Then he hauled his pack up onto his back and slowly walked away.
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Heart-breaking and uplifting all at once. Really gorgeous photo.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I certainly didn't plan it.
DeleteGreat photo, and terrific little story to go with it. I love how he's in the shadow and water is glittering in the sunshine. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks. I wanted to shoot it into the sun so that he would be in shadows.
DeleteI had a similar photo with a man in front of a fountain in a park in our town. Unfortunately or maybe fortunately as the case might be since your photo is so much better than mine would have been, it didn't turn out. The shadow and the depth make it a less intrusive too.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see your photo.
DeleteAn interesting insight into the plight and character of humanity. Happy Easter.
ReplyDeleteHOppy Easter to you! I felt bad for him, but still took the photo. Conflicted.
DeleteI love the contrast of the bright sparkly clean water against the not-so bright sparkly clean man. Overall, it is a sobering picture that makes me count my blessings.
ReplyDeleteYes. I count mine all of the time.
DeleteYou might at least have offered me a sandwich. Great pic. Great story. You put some thought into this and it shows.
ReplyDeleteIf I walked around with a sandwich in my pocket, I could have done that. I knew that I wanted a picture at this spot and generally there are people lining the lake on every bench. He was the only person there.
DeleteGreat caption to a fabulous picture. I used to draw pictures of strangers on the train when I commuted in and out of the city. Something about the positioning of their bodies, the way they sat and stared straight ahead of them, unsuspecting that I was drawing them made the pictures so much more... real.
ReplyDeleteYou should post some of your drawings on your blog. I would like to see them.
DeleteOh wow... amazing. The washing of the feet reminded me of Easter!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought about the coincidence and Easter. I just took the picture yesterday.
DeleteStunning. Of course I'm upset though. I was only alone 'cos I missed my bus and who wouldn't wash in a public 'restroom' (as you call them) in order to retain the illusion of a life of sweet-smelling cleanliness.
ReplyDeleteIf that was you, you were a long way from any bus line - so you were lost and sweet-smelling.
DeleteA powerful photograph made even more powerful by your description. I've always had a big heart for street people, and once volunteered in a coffee house for them. They're lost and lonely people, often mentally ill, sometimes just down on their luck. I wish our society did more to help them.
ReplyDelete*sigh*
Around here the local churches and temples work together to provide a rest spot for the homeless before the shelters open at night. It is a nice community effort.
DeleteLove the photo and the write-up. I really like how you captured the fountain in the background, as well. Nice!
ReplyDelete;-)
Thanks. I felt like I had to write something for this one.
DeleteBrilliant photo AND story. Love it. Even though it's wicked sad.
ReplyDelete