Dear Anonymous,
Sometimes it is just in the sitting. He missed out on the coffee cake again. Damn. Sure appreciated the coffee card though.
Sometimes it is just this sitting. And his kind way in this moment.
I stopped and gave him a present. He seemed confused. And then he smiled.
I stopped and gave him a present. He seemed confused. And then he smiled.
What You Had In Store
What You Had In Store
There Was Ice Under Your Breath
There Was Ice Under Your Breath
They may wonder from across the wharf as they huddle together at the end of the pier smoking their cigs...
They may wonder from across the wharf as they huddle together at the end of the pier smoking their cigs, if I am from the insurance company. Taking stock. Do they know what wonders they leave behind?
To walk this walk may land you in an alley with mismatched shoes.
Dear Anonymous,
To walk this walk may land you in an alley with mismatched shoes. Laying between empty bottles and fish guts and extraordinary sunrises that you may miss cause you're dope sick or missed your meds or need a drink. Bad.
It may land you in a desperate place where goodwill of others may provide fodder for your genius hustle. Because you will do whatever you need to get what you need. To live the only way you can right now.
The sinner resides within the saint. The saint within the sinner. And so it will be walking this walk.
Glamorize one you glamorize the other. Demonize one you demonize the other.
To walk this walk will find you staring at your mismatched shoes wondering about your next shuffled step. And when that overwhelms your exhausted mind and traumatized body you may just fall down.
Waterfront Icon. Old Guard. Protector of the Working Waterfront.
Waterfront Icon. Old Guard. Protector of the Working Waterfront.
The Corner of What Portland Is Becoming
The Corner of What Portland Is Becoming
New Nets
New Nets
A new warm coat. A cup of hot coffee. Even the stout hearted are shivering this morning.
Dear Anonymous,
A new warm coat. A cup of hot coffee. Even the stout hearted are shivering this morning.
The land of the Sinner and the Saint. The Family of Man. A dysfunctional family filled with liars, thieves and enlightened saints. Broken and wounded and patched together with love and the deepest intention to see to the essence.
A man on the other side of me hands me a little cloisine pendant from his cold and cracked fingers, something he has found and saved for me. I look at it. My heart skips just a half beat.
I ask 'Are you familiar with this imagery?'
Seems he is not.
It is of a lotus blossom. And we chat about the beautiful lotus blossom only able to bloom when it is deeply rooted in the mud, and muck, and slime.
'Oh...from the DARKNESS.' another man says.
Yes.
Yes. Yes.
Berlin MIlls Wharf. Portland Becoming.
Berlin MIlls Wharf. Portland Becoming.
The way the sky talked about weather coming.
The way the sky talked about weather coming.
Imagine a world ....
Imagine a world ....your brother dead. Your mom basically homeless and in need of long term care. And it's just you now. And you're on the street. Struggling with the day to day. This may be his story,but not just his story. It is not uncommon...crumbling structure. And it is no less tragic. Even if it has reasons we will shore our sandbags against; protecting our safe turf with justifications or faults.
Holy. Holey. Wholey.
Holy. Holey. Wholey.
Tidal Leftovers
Tidal Leftovers
Almost Winter Angle
Almost Winter Angle
You Will Hold This Like This and I Will Crawl On My Knees in Gratitude and Supplication
You Will Hold This Like This and I Will Crawl On My Knees in Gratitude and Supplication
That ballon we had to have? To celebrate the whatever? Oooops. Got away.
That ballon we had to have? To celebrate the whatever? Oooops. Got away. Washed up on this shore. Mingling with leaves and kelp. What are we thinking.
Showing us the healed tattoo that covers an old undesired tattoo...
Dear Anonymous,
Showing us the healed tattoo that covers an old undesired tattoo gotten decades ago as protection in a violent and compromised environment. I am grateful for this man's generosity of spirit. For his ability to help me see what I would not be able to see otherwise. I am grateful he trusts me enough to share . I am grateful for his protection out here.
Things were looking a bit up for this gentleman this morning...
Dear Anonymous,
Things were looking a bit up for this gentleman this morning and after chatting, when I ask if I can photograph, THIS is his response.
Appreciation. Gratitude. O, this smile.