July 15, 2016

The magazine LensWork requested submission from readers for a book titled Seeing In Sixes.  Each submission was to consist of exactly 6 photographs that worked together as a set or told a story.  Fifty sets were to be selected for publication in September.  I was one of about 1200 individuals who submitted almost 2000 sets of 6 images.  I was happily surprised to have 1 of the 2 sets I submitted selected  to be included in the book.  I can hardly imagine a more meaningful recognition of my work.

My set presented 6 photographs of decaying, damaged leaves that had been
buried by winter’s snow.  What caught my interest at first was simply
the detail and texture in each small scene.  As the effort evolved, I
began to see these leaves as metaphors for life.  They
served to remind me of the importance of living life as much in the moment as is practical and possible.  I wrote a short poem to accompany the images expressing this
idea and believe the combination of the poem and the images was stronger
than either individual part.  In some ways, because I never write in this
way, I took more pride in the poem than I did in the photographs since I
spend so much time and energy with my photographs.

DEBRIS

The treachery of March
reveals winter’s ravage.

In its debris,
death and dissolution,
the turning of the wheel.

Hurrying by, carelessly, I see nothing.
Crouching deeply, on my knees, I discover the dark beauty of past stars.
Observing fearlessly, I realize the full truth of the turning wheel.