The View

Mag 145 - Prompt provided by Tess Kincaid

The View

As squats went

it was just another

drafty and leaky

abandoned building.

On the second floor

facing the east

he could watch the birds

from the red chair.

Listen to their song

through the broken windows

as they greeted the dawn

in the tree tops.

For those few moments

he was home

not just living

from dawn to dawn.

J. Binford-Bell

November 2012

Weather Coming

Squall by Andrew Wyeth

Eye on the horizon

face to the freshening breeze

all senses alert

weather coming.

Standing at the window

coffee mug in hand

considering the day

whether in or out.

Clouds building

pressure dropping

headache building behind the eyes

change is coming.

Weather moving in

carried on a shift in the wind

shut all the doors and windows

Weathered in.

J. Binford-Bell

November 2012

Prompt by Tess Kincaid on The Mag

For the Glory of War

Verdun by Felix Vallotton
Mag 143 prompt

For the Glory of War

we paint war in patriotic colors

speak of it in heroic terms

For the Glory

they die in the thousands

hundreds of thousands

on the beaches of Normandy

in the fields of Verdun.

For the Glory of War

we write ballads with drum and fife

pen epic poems and tomes

For the Glory

of all the men who died

so the next generation can die again

on some beach or hill

as yet unnamed.

J. Binford-Bell

11-11-2012

In Memory of all who have died for the Glory of War

Cemetery at Verdun, France 

Raton's Windows and Alleys

Parking by J. Binford-Bell

I go over to Raton, New Mexico rather more than I would like at times. But I know if I take my camera and take the time I will have some great photos to bring back. This last Thursday when I had to run art over to the Old Pass Gallery for their Christmas Show was not exception. I found a great new coffee shop, Enchanted Grounds, and photo opportunities in the old town area.

The Past Reflected by J. Binford-Bell

Old Pass Gallery is in the old Wells Fargo building near the train station in the old town part of Raton. It is reflected in the windows of a closed businesses across the street.

History by J. Binford-Bell

I got chatting with an owner of one of the businesses that is still open and he was telling me of the plans to put in a park and planters and benches along the wide street. And even close off one end so it is just a walking mall. Political in fighting has put those plans on hold. Sad because it could be a great area for tourists and residents alike. He directed me to the Enchanted Grounds Coffee Shop where I had a half order of French Toast (do not attempt the full order) before continuing to the alleys.

Stucco Monet by J. Binford-Bell

X Marks the Spot by J. Binford-Bell

Gas Mains by J. Binford-Bell

Fall Shadows by J. Binford-Bell

It was a gorgeous Indian Summer day to walk the streets. And I was almost two hours early for the Old Pass Gallery to be open and I could drop off my paintings and my sisters photographs for their holiday show which should now be open. Stop in and see the art but look at the art around you that is not framed.

Opening by J. Binford-Bell

Done

Done

All for naught

Walking in circles

looking for a way out.

Exhausted

Against the canyon walls

end of the journey.

Recorded

on aging film

the last wan smile.

Bones

Tattered pieces of cloth

Brownie box camera.

Final

journey

done.

J. Binford-Bell

November 2012

Visit The Mag for links to other poems taken from the visual prompt by Edward Weston

Reflections

Reflections and Mist by J. Binford-Bell

I have done a lot of reflective work this year. To do reflections takes practice. And it also takes getting up at the crack of dawn. If the golden hours of photography are those closest to dawn and sunset that goes double for reflections. And here in the mountains the water is going to be the smoothest early in the morning. And you need to find a pond or body of water with an interesting landscape around it. I frankly like ones with aspens because the white trunks show up very well even through a morning mist.

After the leaves are gone by J. Binford-Bell

And most digital photography books will tell you to include the least amount of the "real" landscape. The reflected colors are always more deep. And like on the last picture in this blog the sky is a poor second to the reflection of the sky in the water. 

Shore grass by J. Binford-Bell

The reflection is always the opposite shore. But sometimes the detail on the near shore or what is floating in the pond can add interest to a photograph of a the reflection.

Aspens ala Monet by J. Binford-Bell

And sometimes the surface of the water is just too smooth and you need a ripple to add interest and make it look like something other than an upside down landscape. I patiently wait at times for my dogs to step into the water on my side of the pond.

Ripples by Magique

And this fall season I used the reflective quality of water to give me an interesting perspective on the Aspens which were glorious and seemingly endless.

Double your pleasure by J. Binford-Bell