Last year I did a post called September Monochromes, and in the series of photos that I had on the post was one of a Coconut, to which a friend (Cecil) made the comment:
“I see the mystery of the coconut which may have travelled hundreds or even thousands of miles to land on the beach there and possible to continue it’s journey with the next tide.”
In this post, I have two photographs, the first is another coconut, not in monochrome this time, but it reminded me of that comment from Cecil. If that coconut could tell us the tales of it’s short life and probably long journey, what would it be like? Did it grow on a tree on our own shores, or on a distant shore in a far away land? Was it cut from a tree to give of it’s juice (and maybe jelly) immediately to the person picking it, or to be loaded with others and sold to someone else. Was the water drunk au naturel, or used in a sweet rum cocktail and served with one of those little umbrellas?
The second photo wasn’t originally meant to be lumped into the same post, but who decides these things anyway?
I had titled it “Of a Time gone by” even before considering this post. I grew up hearing the “old folks” using the phrase “If walls had ears”, meaning; what stories and events took place near those walls, what stories the walls would have been witness to. People should be more concerned with “if the walls had tongues”!
This building sits on (or in or next to) the St Joseph’s Mercy Hospital compound, across the road from the Eve Leary Police Headquarters, a few doors down and around the corner from the US Embassy and the Felix Austin Police College, on a street called “Parade Street” (I give you one guess as to why) and in walking distance of many other places of note (such as the Umana Yanna, The Pegasus Hotel, the Canadian High Commission, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. One can only imagine the things that have taken place in and around this humble looking building 🙂
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Good stuff Mike, you had a good haul. I like the story of the coconut, very poetic 🙂
thanks Nik, inspired by Cecil 🙂
Loved today’s pics and comments. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Teri, I’ll try 🙂
Hello Michael
Last week you sent out the remains of the Frandec building. Now you are in my back yard, considering I used to live at 123 Parade Street. The photo is really beautifully composed I don’t agree with you though that it’s a humble looking building, but the adjective I am looking for to describe the building is not coming to mind right this moment
Regards
Cecil
I know what you mean Cecil, I couldn’t quite put my finger on the right word either, maybe tranquil… serene…
I Like reading the stories emitting from the photos. I’m sure if you made it an assignment, you’d be pleasantly surprised of the different outcomes. Nice up close photo of the coconut. BTW – does anyone who sees you shooting photos, ask you what you are doing or if you are a reporter? Just curious?
Thanks Martina, I try not to be too “wordy” 🙂 People always ask us what newspaper we’re from or why we’re taking the photos.
the tones in your black and white photos are always absolutely perfect.
Thanks Nigel, that one is more of a sepia than BW 🙂
I will never look at a coconut the same way! 😀 The second photo sure makes it appear as if it was taken in a time gone by, excellent job Mike!
Thanks David, I find some scenes work well in sepia-tone 🙂 this was one.
As usual you have a way with words. Don’t think that coconut came from very far. The meat is still in very good condition. Still….? The house or building, was it taken from the front or back? The covered walk way leaves one wondering where it leads to. As usual very good work both word and picture.
The house was taken from the “back”. I was on the middle floor of the Hospital looking towards the road.
Mike, I may be wrong but I think the head doctor of Mercy Hospital lived in that house. One name that comes to mind is Dr. Gomes. I cannot remember his first name. He was like Dr. Seawar is today to the hospital “Chief”. 🙂
Thanks A Rose, I had a feeling that it was part of the Mercy Hospital Complex 🙂
Coconut shot is my favorite. Real thought provoking and I like these kind of shots that makes you think.
Thanks Sasi, I am glad that sometimes these shots make people think, eliciting a response, usually on an emotional level is what art is about, so when a photograph can do it, then it probably has reached the stage of art 🙂
A thoughful concept and post. Your images are lovely in and of themselves, but with the questions you pose, become even more meaningful.
Thanks Cindy, sometimes the words just take over 🙂