Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Poetry and Photography: Tired, Tired, Tired


I don’t know how long I will ride?
I’m tired, tired, tired
Jus’ might ride this train to the end of the line
I hope thats not too soon because this rest is mighty fine
I’ll get off at the end and pedal my bike uptown
or
maybe I’ll get on another train and ride this sucka back downtown
Either way
I’m tired, tired, tired
And this rest is mighty fine
Side note: This man had no idea that he inspired someone to take his picture and write a poem about him today. This proves that we never know who is watching us or who we're an inspiration to.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hee heee, how many seats allowed per passenger?? I think he has about six of them all to himself :) The body is an amazing organism, it warns you, and then take-over brrr brrr!!!

Stephen A. Bess said...

tryphina-
there are only 2 seats so he's taking up just one. :)Yeah, it looks like the brother was out for the count.

Darius said...

Sounds to me like a poem that wants to be a song lyric. I don't know, maybe it's just me, but something about the sound of it...

Ananda said...

i feel like darius. brothalove stephen, i can see someone plucking a guitar to this song. and the shot is bua .. it explains the way i have been feeling the last couple of days ... dead tiiiiiirrrreeeed. keep shooting photos and recording your yin-yang expression. the collage approach is what i am also feeling. i see a bigger photo blown up with the poem collaged into it. maybe i see that because i am a collage geek. who knows... i am always trying to recruit more collegists ... don't know if that is a word, but heck it is now... anyway this is a mighty fine piece of work. keep flowing ... peace in, ananda

Stephen A. Bess said...

darius-
I think that it's the repitition. It makes things sound lyrical. I hope that you liked it.

ananda-
I took this picture this morning on the train. I saw this guy just lying there and I smiled. Most passengers looked at him with pity or disgust, but I saw art. This is why I keep my lens handy. I looked at the picture, wrote this poem and posted. I didn't know how the poem would sound to readers, but I was okay with it. I'm glad that you like it. :)A collage for this piece sounds nice. I could really dig that.

Uaridi said...

Lovely poem - I love the imagery and the uncle resting his tired old bones.

Haven't visited in a while, I loved your homage to your Amanita, and the photos. Great to see you are all better.

Stephen A. Bess said...

uaridi-
Thank you and welcome back. Yes, I almost laughed when I saw him because he truly looked beat. :)He has no idea that he has inspired poetry today. That goes to show that you never know who you inspire just by the smallest act. I'm going to write that on today's post. See you soon.

barbie said...

Are the trains in DC really that clean? I'm impressed. On a different note Bess...Another Black man went to prison yesterday. Former Mayor Campbell will be going down de ribber....Will they ever learn!

Anonymous said...

Stephen, that is nice. I am surprised they allow bikes on the trains. We do not have trains, but on the city buses there is NO bikes allowed. Even a Mother with a stroller has to fold it up and leave it at the front. Which makes it impossible for people like my friend who has a 1 year old and a new born to take the bus anywhere. And from what I have seen MOST of the drivers are NOT going to help them... nor do most of the passengers. It is sad. I always jump up to help. So much for MN nice I guess...

Anyways, that is a wonderful poem with the picture. I like the idea of making it into a collage, or a song, or both...

Have a great afternoon/evening!

Lori Stewart Weidert said...

This is just lovely; the poem, the picture, AND the sidenote. I wonder how his day would have panned out differently if he'd known that he was part of your wonderful creation. Do we ever really know how we make a difference?

Very heartwarming, Stephen. Thanks.

Stephen A. Bess said...

faith-
yes, bikes are allowed but only near the rear of the train. there is enough room. They are not allowed on the bus, but there is a bike rack on the front. That's nice of you to help out. You are the good Samaritan, huh? :) Thanks always for your compliments. Have a pleasant and relaxing evening.

gnightgirl-
hello fellow photographer. :)Maybe I would've told him, but he was still sleep when I got off. Yeah, we never know. It's a wonderful thought.

Unknown said...

Lovely.

You never really know who is watching....

NML/Natalie said...

This is a great photo and the fact that he has no clue that he's a part of it makes it even better. You couldn't achieve this type of photo with a staged, cpntrived setting.

Stephen A. Bess said...

pamela-
Thanks for stopping in and welcome! :)

nml-
I totally agree and that is why I take this little camera with me almost everywhere.

Michelle said...

...or who we disappoint! Sorry about the signing mixup - Imma make it up to ya!

Brea said...

This is great! Poetry and photography - awesome!

credo said...

tired, so tired but so much life live. What a great picture !!!

Stephen A. Bess said...

credo-
Hello. I agree. I've come too far to turn back now. :)Thanks!

gautami tripathy said...

Arn't we tired at some point of time?

I could see inner conflict underlying here

Stephen A. Bess said...

tripathy-
always inner conflict. Welcome. :)

Lyrically speaking said...

A heartwarming piece that touches the soul

Stephen A. Bess said...

delaleu-
That means a lot coming from you. thank you :)

Professor Zero said...

Excellent! Hi from Victoria BC (it is weird here, reminds me of Sweden or something, sterile).

Stephen A. Bess said...

Profzero-
Haa haa! :) I've never been to either. You remind me that I need to travel more. I hope that your time there will still be a pleasant one.

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