Category: photograhy

Blast from the Past

It was around 4 AM when I pulled my 240 ton production truck onto the dump, backed up alongside the catskinner, and proceeded to dump my load. Suddenly, night became day as the box came in contact with a 10,000+ volt overhead powerline. It blew out the windshield, gauges from the dash, and three of the tires, not to mention my mind.

I sat there in the smoldering truck for about half an hour as I waited for an electrician to come and give me the all-clear to touch the metal and climb down. Just as I began to walk away from the truck, it burst into flames. My guardian angel was working overtime that morning; nobody could really explain how that happened.

out of the trodden

depths of hell,

the mighty brute

i rode,

and so appeased

the metal beast

with yet

another load…

–Photo not by me

Silent Night, Sober Night

I stand here at the hotel window

And look down on a mostly empty street

All Lit up under a mostly cloudy moon.

I can’t believe how desolate it is now;

A few years ago, this place was booming.

This street would have been one big

Party on a Saturday night back then,

And, regretfully, I would have been one

Of the drunkest of the party-goers.

Now, those days are a blurry memory.

Tomorrow there’ll be plenty of folks

Down there on the street, shopping

And greeting each other seasonally,

But tonight it’s so dead, the only thing

Changing is the one lonely traffic light.

I must admit, it makes me feel a bit

Lonely too, but at least I’m not drunk.

–Photo by me

A Walk to the Mine Pit

It’s December, and we’re finally having the weather we should’ve had in November–not that I’m complaining. The trees are all frosted, so I’ve decided to take a walk with my camera down to the local mine pit.

I’m nearing the pit now, and the ground falls away beneath my feet. This is the scary part for an old man on foot; one misstep could lead to a floundering in the snow at best, or perhaps a broken hip with a less fortunate landing. I press on.

I’ve made it down to the water level. The wind coming off the open water is especially nasty, and the cold seems to blow right through my clothes.

It’s too cold to hang around long, so I’m snapping a few quickies before I start up the hill again. My fingers are frozen, and it’s hard to handle the camera.

I begin the slippery ascent, but when I take a look back, I see an ice formation in the water that looks to me like an angel. I hope that’s not a sign concerning my walk home.

–Photos by me