Angelina

I was sitting in Joe's Diner in Santa Monica

with my good friend and frequent photo subject

Amy O'Neill

when I saw Angelina walk by outside on

the busy thoroughfare of Main Street. She was

hunched over, pushing a cart. I saw her pass,

and immediately regretted missing the

opportunity to take her photo. I saw

that expressive face, the adobe echoes

in her countenance,

and that long angel white hair,

and knew she would be an ideal photo subject.

I mentioned this to Amy,

who said she needed to go outside

for a cigarette, so I beat her to Main Street.

As fate would have it, and often does,

Angelina had turned around and was

heading back in my direction. When she

came up to me, I asked her - and she

didn't say yes or no - but lifted her face

towards me and looked directly at me,

like she could see into my soul.

And i lifted my camera slowly,

so she could say no if she didn't

want me to photograph her. But she

didn't - she stood and allowed me to

shoot - and I did - i took two photos - and

in both she is still, silent and unblinking,

an old soul in the new world -

as modern times transposed into Main Street,

Santa Monica, America

clamoring by behind her.

Done