Tags
Black & White, Florida, Musing, Night, Night Photography, Photography, Solitude, Story, Thoughts, Urban, Walking, Writing
After days and years of solitary walks, meandering along the sea, or through the quiet forest glade, delving into the chasms and crevices of my belladonna-mind, the leering darkness provoked a change, and I found myself upon a nocturnal stroll of the urban kind.
I ambled along amidst the jubilant bar life, the incandescent window displays and charming, but dolefully indifferent, advertisements whoring for a sale.
I trotted along the night-washed sidewalk, myriad globs of smashed gum wads catching the glow of a nearby streetlamp. They glinted in perfect circles punching through the dark like stars to light my way.
Framed by the passing headlights, the silhouettes of Panhandlers stalked along like jackals looming near a bleeding kill they could never quite reach.
Moody Indie-music lumbered out from the dreary maw of the newest haunt. The sound mingled with the hum of fans, the buzz of neon signs, and the silent boisterous banter of the chaos within-
Words joggling and spurting, desperate to touch (with lucidity, with meaning), but always guarded- and so naively off-key, like hesitant eyes that rise out of cadence and fail to meet (and so sabotage what might have been). I walked on.
Solitude followed me as I shuffled through smiling countenances (grinning teeth obscuring the self-doubt and brittle sadness within) glaring through the darkness. I walked effortlessly, gliding along in my pinstripe hat and my animated thoughts. In the cover of the leafy weald, or in a circus theatre, yes, Solitude always became me.
And I was content. Aloneness was never barren or hollow, but resolute and kind. It fostered reason and curiosity, the creative mind like perennial autumn flare ruffled by the rejuvenating wind, fresh and crisp and ludic. Aye, I was alone, but never dreary. I had determined to avoid the infection of loneliness.
But I did come to know Madness, before the wall of mud and sticks finally gave way and the onslaught of my own wild thoughts were released to flow free. Before I knew the bliss it was to embrace my Self.
My gritty step faded. The crowds, the bars, the panhandlers, all dissolved behind me. The charming signs, the decorative lights and floating music, all wafted away. I was free, and I was lively, and I was going somewhere, gliding along rivulets of thought- and always by my side along the way, my coy and reticent friend, Solitude.
Autumn Jade
so beautiful!
Thanks so much!
Your photography is beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Oh thanks a grand indeed! 😀
I like strolling thru your photos almost as much as strolling through your stream of consciousness…great art
Oh thank yeh!! So grateful you dripped by! Much appreciated!
Ah appreciated. Love the theme of darkness with a speckle of light to the tough of each subject! I heart the third one. Appears as an alley almost. Where in Florida is this? Isn’t it so fun and amazing to take a tour through the greatness of a place during the dark?
touch*
Oh thanks so much!! I love to explore urban night photography. I have had this series going on of Downtown Melbourne, FL for a while now. I would really like to do some old historic towns of central FL at night too, that sounds fun.Yes, it’s quite a whole new discovery of a place when it’s swathed in darkness. I love it. I have been working on another set of Cocoa Village, and want to do Historic Titusville and St. Augustine. It really is quite the addiction, indeed. Thank you for the comment, so appreciated!
Wow, I would have never thunk there are small places like this in the central FL area! Show me more =) I’m looking forward to more posts of this sort. Can’t wait.
P.S. I love the third one down too, aye I thought the same, somewhat redolent of an alley. I loooove alley shots and need to post a few sometime soon. My favourite one here is the fifth one down though, the black and white Debauchery- reminds me so of a scene from a classic noir film. 😀 I really loved the feedback lassie too splendid 😀 cheers! -Autty Jade
=D I’m itching to go and do more darkness shots! We shall see =)
Beautiful Pictures and captivating account 🙂
Thank you so much! I have too much fun with these. Appreciate the feedback. Smiling cheers to you,
Autumn Jade
Wonderful collection of noir thoughts (and images). Glad I found your site.
Ah thank ye! I could just hear the Duke Ellington wash over me as the words sprinkle forth….gutter of crushed cigarettes reeking of mildew and rotten tobacco, pizza sizzling, the greasy, bubbling smell wafting over the craggy sidewalk, buzzed clusters of hooting pedestrians stumbling into the strobes of passing cars, and the swift Pinstripe Suit, with pedulum tie, sauntering cooly along, and slipping away, decanting down those hollow black-and-white alleyways…can hear his gritty steps slowly fade into the gauze of balmy night. Ahhhh I love that feeling. Thanks for dripping by and leaving some drops of condensation on the window- much appreciated. Cheers,
Autumn Jade
Was that “Chelsea Bridge” that Ellington was playing?
Great response–as lucid as your post.
Chelsea Bridge fits most swimmingly, can hear it now….oh yes….
Thanks for letting me camp out in your blog for a little while today. I had a great time and tried to leave my campsite as good as when I arrived. I’ll be back!