Header Attribution

The header photo is a wall in the Depot Art District in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Outcropping


This is what is commonly called
a rock outcropping.

Funny word - outcropping.

This photo takes my imagination 
in many directions.
I can almost see some kind of primitive face on this rock;
or it is a huge petrified shark fin;
or a finger...
an index finger pointing to the sky -
the "One Way" sign;
or the upturned rudder of an ancient ship...

Whatever.
It is the central focus of this photo,
but there are many other elements
lending interest to this composition:
the seagull in flight,
the purple iceplant blooming on the far bank,
the stunning blue sky,
the congregation of stone around the central monolith,
the green iceplant in the foreground,
waves crashing on the distant shoreline.

Overall,
a scene that beckons
with an offering of serenity
and peace.

Like holding a conch shell to your ear,
you can hear the sound of the ocean waves.

Taken 13 May 2011,
Pacific Grove, California.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Real Books!


A receding commodity
relegated to dusty back corners,
thrift stores, flea markets, yard sales;
an archaic oddity,
practically museum-worthy,
antiquarian,
quaint,
precious.

There is nothing like
shelves lined with books,
literary pathways
to every imaginable
time and place;
characters
to delight,
frighten,
enthrall,
tickle,
and
most of all,
to remember.

Imaginary friends
that become a part of you
for a lifetime.

Taken 12 January 2011,
Monterey, California.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Chair #8


Hand-set stone
beneath my feet
as I rest...
my weary bones,
my troubled mind,
my cornered soul.

Close my eyes
and breathe in deeply,
the scents of springtime blossoms
washed in morning dew,
and beneath,
an earthy base of soil
and rotting autumn leaves;
around the edges,
pungent sea air;
the persistent cries of seagulls
and the tattling sea lions
punctuating,
pulsating.

The sounds and smells
compose a sensory tapestry
that wraps me in a healing cloak
of creative Life.

A smile.
A nod.
And for these moments,
all is well.


Monterey Custom House Plaza,
taken 31 December 2010.


Friday, April 12, 2013

Lost in Thought


All alone,
seemingly abandoned in the sandlot;
drops of rain dappling its well-used leather;
it takes a moment
for the brain to register fully
what your eye is seeing,
and then

> >  b - o - o - m  < <

echoes of the slap
of ball in glove;
the crack of the bat;
the taunting, teasing calls to the batter,
whistling and hooting;
all the sounds of the boys of summer.
And a smile slowly emerges
from your heart to your lips;
and maybe your eyes get a little misty
with the sweet memories
of
playing ball.

Taken 19 March 2011.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Church in Sierra Vista


This church in Sierra Vista, Arizona,
caught my eye.
Beautiful colors and architectural details.
Unfortunately,
I did not take a picture of the sign,
and I have forgotten the name of the church.


The stark blue sky that day was gorgeous and amazing.


Taken 9 February 2011.