hope that's such a cool thought!! i've been drawn to stories that take you through cupboards, into attics, up stairs, down stairs through portals of any kind and into a parallel world. i think it's an allusion to the idea of multiple universes that hovers in the back of a lot of people's minds. steven
helen - alleys are so intriguing. they frighten me because they close in, because there can be hidden dangers, because the sliver of space above your head is so circumscribed. but then (just like birth) there's the other end. the opening out. the safety. the freedom. hmmm. steven
lizzy it's interesting being in a city because the colours are so vivid but in a very different way to the flowers and landscapes of the countryside. thanks for the kind comment. steven
paul - the city hovers between despair and euphoria. both states look so different in each person and in each space. i'll be popping over for a look-see at your take on the urban world. steven
hi elisabeth, bricks are a bit like trees for me. i think they see so much and store so much inside their bodies. i know that they're inanimate but i have long beleieved that even inanimate objects can contain energies. these ones seemed forgotten and perhaps not very well taken care and so - "hollow eyed". the graffiti grounding them in the present moment. i like good graffiti or street art. but it's sometimes too splashy or poorly placed. the ladder bailed me out on this image. steven
barry - you're so right! do you remember years ago the little house in st. james town that fought for its right to not be in the shadow of the towers being built either side of it? it was the first time i thought about how precious light is in the city. the ladders - i'd be up 'em right behind you barry!!! steven
me too bonnie. some of the city buildings are beautiful when you abstract them into art but as objects they are kind of sorry excuses. functional but not really in keeping with a human scale environment. steven
hey joanna - thankyou. i wish i had more. thankyou so very much for your donation to my africycle fundraising ride. yes i will be blogging about it. i'm going to see about solving the technical side of being on the road and posting as soon as possible. the ride isn't until the first week of july so we'll what we see. steven
what a great pic and the verse is spectacular...you captured the feel of the alley as if in a dream...dropped by to check out your magpie, but could not find it...
Wow! I've been away for a few days and the whole look of your blog has changed! The black background really sets your photographs off nicely and the new header is cool!
Sweet marriage of image and words there Steven. I would be craving a 'skybound view' too - should I find myself in such an alley.
ReplyDeleteA view of the sky is a rare and precious gift in the city.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd take the stairs.
The image gives me a feeling of confinement, Steven, sad and confined for all the graffiti art work below, and the promise of sky above.
ReplyDeleteI love the expression you use here: 'the hollow-eyed bricks
held together
by a forgotten ambition'.
As ever, thanks
I like the interplay of despair, apathy with hope. That sliver of light and ladder...great shot and poem.
ReplyDeleteCoincidentally I just blogged about urban street art.
I like your city shot and the brilliant color in what could have been a drab alleyway. Nice poem to go along with it.
ReplyDeletebeautiful poetry.
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday!
At first glance, the alley may seem empty ~ but your words give it color and possibility.
ReplyDeleteThe ladder reminds me of old science fiction movies where you stepped into a tube and were zipped through space on new adventures. :)
ReplyDeleteI love your poetry and images Steven!
ReplyDeleteI have a new post up as well.
Karena
Art by Karena
hello karena, thanks for your kind comment and especially for the invite!! i'll be right over. steven
ReplyDeletehope that's such a cool thought!! i've been drawn to stories that take you through cupboards, into attics, up stairs, down stairs through portals of any kind and into a parallel world. i think it's an allusion to the idea of multiple universes that hovers in the back of a lot of people's minds. steven
ReplyDeletehelen - alleys are so intriguing. they frighten me because they close in, because there can be hidden dangers, because the sliver of space above your head is so circumscribed. but then (just like birth) there's the other end. the opening out. the safety. the freedom. hmmm. steven
ReplyDeletehello jingle and welcome. thankyou for your kind comment. steven
ReplyDeletelizzy it's interesting being in a city because the colours are so vivid but in a very different way to the flowers and landscapes of the countryside. thanks for the kind comment. steven
ReplyDeletepaul - the city hovers between despair and euphoria. both states look so different in each person and in each space. i'll be popping over for a look-see at your take on the urban world. steven
ReplyDeletehi elisabeth, bricks are a bit like trees for me. i think they see so much and store so much inside their bodies. i know that they're inanimate but i have long beleieved that even inanimate objects can contain energies. these ones seemed forgotten and perhaps not very well taken care and so - "hollow eyed". the graffiti grounding them in the present moment. i like good graffiti or street art. but it's sometimes too splashy or poorly placed. the ladder bailed me out on this image. steven
ReplyDeletebarry - you're so right! do you remember years ago the little house in st. james town that fought for its right to not be in the shadow of the towers being built either side of it? it was the first time i thought about how precious light is in the city. the ladders - i'd be up 'em right behind you barry!!! steven
ReplyDeleteme too bonnie. some of the city buildings are beautiful when you abstract them into art but as objects they are kind of sorry excuses. functional but not really in keeping with a human scale environment. steven
ReplyDeleteI'm loving these urban pictures steven - the city is where my heart is most at peace.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your beautiful words on what the picture says to you, but I can live without the skybound view.
People. Fascinating in our difference.
That's a very sweet alley shot Steven. Joanna
ReplyDeletehey joanna - thankyou. i wish i had more. thankyou so very much for your donation to my africycle fundraising ride. yes i will be blogging about it. i'm going to see about solving the technical side of being on the road and posting as soon as possible. the ride isn't until the first week of july so we'll what we see. steven
ReplyDeletewhat a great pic and the verse is spectacular...you captured the feel of the alley as if in a dream...dropped by to check out your magpie, but could not find it...
ReplyDeleteWow! I've been away for a few days and the whole look of your blog has changed! The black background really sets your photographs off nicely and the new header is cool!
ReplyDelete