The Personal Photographer

[Maureen K Clifford]

The Personal Photographer



My personal photographer only pictures what I like
and there are no interlopers – I tell them ‘‘get onya bike
and bugga orf for ya aint wanted round here - read the sign.
No Trespassers. Are ya deaf too? The piccha show is mine.”

I’ve had to take this stance you see, for whirling round in my head
are the old pictured remembrances of good mates who are dead.
Too many ghastly horrid scenes of men, left where they fell
as the air around is shattered with pieces of flying shell
and dirt from the explosions, and there are no birds on the wing.
It’s as if one’s walked right into hell – that’s what I’m picturing.
For I’d long swallowed myths of glory of brave men under fire;
now I’ve seen the true reality- the blood, the stench, the mire –
and my thoughts like silly putty keep on altering in my head;
my long nights are full of wakefulness – I’m haunted by the dead.

So I hope you’ll try to understand if I seem somewhat strange.
There’s a reason – for the things I’ve seen will make a man deranged.
Strike a light mate, it is hard to see those good young blokes struck down
and be unable to help them – some were blokes from my own town.
Even though the words are never said I see it in the eyes
of their Mothers as they wonder – how come this young bloke survived
when my young son’s life was taken? Well I have to tell you here
that although it seems I’m living – I am dead inside I fear -
that’s why this photographer only pictures what he likes,
if you don’t like that –“ bugga orf, go on – get onya bike.”

Maureen Clifford © 11/10

[Maureen K Clifford]

Thanks Marty glad you liked it - I have no idea where these thoughts come from some time - anything sparks them up - a film and a photo of James Natchwey was the inspiration for this one

Cheers

Maureen

[Maureen K Clifford]

Was reading an article of HIV and recalled these words spoken by one of the greatest IMO photographers of our time. I totally agree with them because in a way they are also my philosophy but I use words instead of pictures.

"I have been a witness, and these pictures are

my testimony. The events I have recorded should

not be forgotten and must not be repeated."

-James Nachtwey-

Here is a link to some of his photos and how a man can face that day in and day out to try to bring a voice of reason to the world is beyond me for I find them in the main to be horrendous and a total indictment of mans inhumanity to man, but like the Jewish holocaust photos, the 9/11 photos et al they cannot be ignored.

http://www.google.com.au/search?q=james ... GpO4KeiAem