People…
Take a look at this picture, what does it mean or say to you. Now write down your spontaneous feelings as a comment.
Whatever you do, don’t try and over-rationalise your initial impressions, just get them down. Don’t read any other comments until you have entered your own
Monday 25th August ~ will explain.
best wishes
henry
ps: "class dismissed"
Waiting. Waiting for something, and a little anxious about it???
Comment by Tamera — August 16, 2008 @ 3:26 pm
Lonely old lady watching the world go by.
Comment by angel — August 17, 2008 @ 1:54 pm
Loneliness. She’s left a space for someone who won’t come anymore.
Comment by Anji — August 17, 2008 @ 2:09 pm
Eleanor Rigby?
Comment by ravenscawl — August 17, 2008 @ 3:52 pm
Waiting, loneliness, reflections or memories.
Comment by Eric S. — August 17, 2008 @ 3:59 pm
The woman is communicating with a deceased relative. She reads energy and interacts with spirit in ways that defy words.
Comment by Liara Covert — August 17, 2008 @ 9:58 pm
someone waiting for something…the background implying the need for peace.
Comment by A. Bolaji — August 18, 2008 @ 1:40 am
She sits and waits with fingers anxiously knotted…it’s been so long. All this long time thinking him dead, and in her bag sits the faded letter, says his plane was shot down, no survivors. Could he really be alive after all? Will he recognise her? She sits and waits for her young man, finally come home.
Comment by Bird — August 18, 2008 @ 10:28 am
Like a lot of people, loneliness springs to mind but my first impression was that this lady had senile dementia and doesn’t quite know where she is or indeed, why. Despite the fact she looks fairly composed with her belongings resting alongside her, I feel she is somewhat lost and sits waiting for someone who doesn’t look likely to appear any time soon.
Comment by Joseph — August 18, 2008 @ 1:40 pm
I believe the elderderly lady is waiting for a bus. She’s either waiting for the bus to go somewhere or waiting for the arrival of someone she knows who will be riding a bus. While she waits, she makes sure to give other people room to sit down, should they want to sit down as well.
Comment by tashabud — August 19, 2008 @ 9:34 am
When I first looked at the picture, before I read your request, I immediately loved the photo. I couldn’t see her face clearly enough to tell her expression, but that didn’t matter. Nonetheless several emotions arose at once. I found it very peaceful and elegant, just a woman sitting alone on a park bench. I loved the feeling of space that the simplicity of the photo gave me.
Then I felt a sense of expectancy…she was leaning forward, as if she knew someone was coming or something would happen. Whether she knew someone was coming or not she sat at one end of the bench the way one would if they hoped or expected someone else to arrive. She left room for “more”, for something to happen, for “possibility”
I loved the contrasts in the photo, everything so composed, peaceful and orderly even her legs, feet and hands and yet her upper body is bursting with expectation, leaning forward to meet Life.
Comment by Robin Easton — August 19, 2008 @ 11:31 pm
What speaks to me is not simply the woman anxiously waiting for something/someone. However, it is where she is sitting and the ‘power’ of the background which, as mentioned before, signifies (at least to me) some kind of longing for peace and contentment.
Furthermore, the somewhat huge space on the other side of the bench and where she has positioned herself indicates some kind of loneliness.
Lastly, there appears to be alot of tension in her body as she has done something wrong and is waiting for some kind of forgiveness.
Comment by A.Bolaji — August 20, 2008 @ 12:09 pm
Henry, you are going to think I am awful.
My very first thought that popped into my head was (Oh dear it sounds like the marshmallow man in Ghostbusters):
She is waiting for a bus and it looks as though it is taking blimin’ ages! 2nd thought was she looks very lonely!
Comment by Chrissy — August 20, 2008 @ 6:49 pm
My initial response, is she is thinking of times past, she is missing someone, she is watching someone that she wishes she could momentarily trade places with.. bring back time
Comment by Susie — August 22, 2008 @ 1:05 am
Hi Henry,
When I first look at that picture I see a lonely old women. She is looking at others around her and wishing that she had the company they do. Then I thought to myself, maybe she is not so
lonely and is just out for a walk and is reflecting on her earlier years which she enjoyed their joy and happiness as well. Anyway thanks for making me think,
Janet
Comment by Janet — August 22, 2008 @ 3:32 am
Henry, me & Andy are reading stuff together and laughin’ he says she is lookin’ at them guys on skateboards and bikes and thinking “When are they gonna give me some peace & quiet!”…LOL ( That is after a glass or two or even three of nice red wine!)
Andy says she could be waiting for a squirrel (Bournemouth joke)….not made it this year :(…Next year maybe, Charmouth in Oct….
Comment by Chrissy — August 26, 2008 @ 9:40 pm
I love the diversity of perceptions in instinctual responses. After reading another of your blogs where you express disbelief in reincarnation, it is fascinating to discover you also have a blog where you choose to explore feelings about the afterlife.
Comment by Liara Covert — August 26, 2008 @ 11:14 pm
OK Henry I am a bi late responding but I havent clicked on the top photo yet. What a wonderful post by the way and your site is looking great as well.
I think the lady is sitting in the park watching the world go by. She comes there every day for company and just sits and watches. She is alone for much of her days.
Now to go and look at what she is really doing.
Comment by Lilly — September 2, 2008 @ 12:03 am