November 7, 2008
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Who are you?
Who are you? I was playing with my new camera when you stumbled into my field of view. Your uneven gait reminded me of my mom when her legs and back were troubling her. I remembered that you hesitated and looked around briefly before you reached into the garbage can. Maybe you had to swallow your pride. I know the garbage can wasn’t full because you had to reach deep inside.
What happened? Did you lose your job? Did your family break up? From my park bench, I just caught a glimpse of your face. You didn’t show any emotions. I guess you’ve buried them so you didn’t have to deal with them.
If I see you again, what would you like me to do? I always thought I knew to do the right thing but I didn’t that day. For some reason, I didn’t delete your picture from my computer. It’s not properly focused. It’s not properly composed. Your face isn’t showing. But this image is seared into my mind now. You haunt me. You see, I was just playing with my new camera while you were just trying to live.
Comments (24)
I wonder what kind of camera you've got? Can you zoom closer?
@curry69curry - I tried enlarging it but wasn't sure how to save it. It always reverted back to the original size.
what is ur hot new gadget? =D
I still have credits to spare, so I think it's time I repay your kindness~ hehe
new camera, eh~ I want a new camera... but I don't need one =/
That photo is a scene I have seen several times. I did in the past say hello but got some bad answers. So I back off. Help is needed but some don't want it.
Very, very touching post. The way you ended it was profound in its simplicity.
@zozoyork - I actually took the picture in spring of this year. The "hot" gadget was a digital slr that I purchased last Christmas.
@tomatoboi - oh thank you for the credits... glad to see you become a lifer.
@Fatcat723 - I brought coffee once for some homeless guy. He turned me down. I found out later on that people put drugs and stuff in food for them. So they don't trust anyone.
@dynamiqvision - Thank you. I had trouble ending that entry and went back to that one line. Were you up early or working late?
wow, that is very sad... sigh... such times we are in these days!
I know an old lady who reaches into garbage bins to get recycle bottles and cans to exchnage for recycle refunds. This way, she makes pocket money to give to grandkids. I am not good at talking with strangers. My mind wanting to help, but do not know want to offend them. Your last sentence is very thought provoking.
what an unbelievable post Matt. Very touching and soul stirring. Hope you don't delete these pictures ever. Who cares about the quality when the subject is so poignant.
what's the exchange rate between an eProp and $1?
@ElusiveWords - digital slr!!! i want one XD
What new camera do you have ? I had no idea people cared about the technical background, but in the future I will. However there is one thing I would like to share now is that I have never and will never violate my pictures with HDR.
Thanks for the tip man.
@enginerds - I splurged on an EOS 40D. But my photography skills are nowhere in your league.
@zozoyork - you also want a hot guy, incredible food, sexy clothes, ... the list is endless. hee hee....
@ZSA_MD - they say writing is cathartic but I still can't get rid of that sense of guilt.
@stevew918 - thanks Steve, I actually had a lot of trouble ending the post. I tried several endings and this seemed to fit.
@kunhuo42 - yeah, I see a variety of people in our 'hood. There's lots of poor and homeless walking around. The prostitutes have mostly left. But there are also lots of new condo's, galleries, coffee houses, restaurants, stores. So the contrast between the haves and the have nots is very glaring.
@Fizzics - I think that 100 eprop mini is 10 Xanga credits. The 1,000 eprop is 100 xanga credits.
@ElusiveWords - I know they don't trust anyone but now I know why!!
Wow, Matt. Beautiful post. We see these types of things in our lives, these moments where we intersect with someone else - but don't connect directly - and recognize not only our shared humanity but how fortunate we are when compared with others.
i wonder the same thing sometimes, too. there are two people i constantly see wondering around and they look homeless or just completely off the rails in life. the thought of asking them what happened has crossed my mind, but a part of me thinks its none of my business, and another part says they might be dangerous.
nice entry. mixes up the tone of xanga entries
Wow...that was nice. It makes us realize that not everyone is lucky...I liked how you tied it together in the last sentence. =]
@christao408 - thank you. I like what you wrote about "our shared humanity".
@twistedoff - I don't think they are dangerous, I think they feel very vulnerable and will react like a prey being cornered if confronted.
@Moonlit_Girl141 - thank you for the compliment.
Nicely written!
@CareyGLY - Thank you.
hmmm, I really do see the world differently Matt. My thoughts on seeing this were:
- what on earth are you doing digging in a garbage; that's disgusting?
- why aren't you using your time better and going to a training program to become re-, fully, or better employed?
- are my United Way donations going to you?
- City Council has got to do a better job dealing with Toronto's homeless challenges
Are you okay? I don't like them, but they do serve a good purpose in society. Free recycling picker uppers.
Comments are closed.