‘Senior Moment’

No real reason I could give you for wishing to capture this image.

It just immediately took my attention and I felt that it was quite emotive in it’s composition?

I had previously been watching this gentleman as he strolled over to the bench where he took up a corner of the seat; and leaning forward he slowly closed his eyes.

With his hands overlapping he then gently supported his chin on the crook of this old wooden walking stick and gave out a long and very deep sigh.

He remained there in this position for quite some time; and appeared so deep in contemplation that at one point I was stood virtually next to him with my camera. I enquired if he was alright but no reply was forthcoming. He just remained sitting and seemingly disconnected from his surroundings.

It seemed to me at the time that he wasn’t merely taking this opportunity to rest; but rather to take some personal time out of his day; possibly to reflect on a decision or dilemma which was playing on his mind.

Strangely though for some unknown reason the lyrics to a John Prine country music song suddenly came to the forefront of my mind; as I began to walk away leaving this old gentleman alone to his private and personal thoughts.

The title to this particular song is “Hello in there” and the lyrics penned in the final verse read as follows:

So if you’re walking down the street sometime
And spot some hollow ancient eyes,
Please don’t just pass ’em by and stare
As if you didn’t care,
say “Hello in there
hello”.

“A terrific sentiment to remember… just not necessarily one of the easiest to fulfill?”