jack_babalon | Entries tagged with photography

Another Terminus Sunday dusk, which is as close to ghost as this town gets. Strolled through Oakland Cemetery amongst the stone angels of Memorial and listened keenly for whatever secrets the silence may have had to offer. I stood on the corner of Auburn and Jackson, sacred ground, beneath the Ebenezer Baptist Church's neon sign looking not for the faith but rather the strength that once boldly drove our city's finest dream. Dabbled in metromancy, as I attempted to divine the future through the interpretation of urban cave art and graffiti sigils. In the twilight shadows of Cabbage Town I wandered aimlessly down the streets, searching for the phantasmal songs of Benjamin Smoke and found instead a gang of feral children playing with bottle rockets on Gaskill. Another Terminus Sunday dusk, spent insulated in solitude and wonder.

Lightning and rainbows, that was my afternoon. Restless, needed to burn off some angst. Took my 'Baby' - my bike and went out for a spin believing the worst of the storm had passed. Ten minutes or so later, I was soaking wet under Troll Bridge on the bicycle trail adjacent to Freedom Parkway. Behind me to the west the sinking sun burned a milky gold behind the sky-rise bouquet centered on the city's horizon. Before me to the east, an advancing wall of gray with the plump rain lit up silver in the dwindling light and slashing down across the cold skin. Drenched. Shivering. Thunder as loud as the gods moving into their new upstairs apartment and the sky crackling with snapshot quick electric fractures. I dismounted Baby, stretched out and crouched.. Lit up a cigarette and surveyed the bridge ahead.

Only to stand there stunned at the sight of a rainbow shimmering out of the trail and up into the sky.

Last night I repeatedly shouted the words 'Fuck Death' to a silhouetted crowd, shaking and scared. Less than twenty four hours later I was stuck in a furious sun-shower thunder storm, hunkered for cover and staring at this prismatic mirage that for a split-second I sincerely believed would lead me to another life if I just wouldn't hesitate. A land spread wide and cast deep in the geography of symbol. Waiting just a quick dash away. But, hesitate I did. So, here I am. But at least I managed to get a few postcards of the trip.