Insomnia

Karen Strunks — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 21:19:59 +0000

Insomnia By LaLoux, Port Townsend, Washington, USA

Today we have a rather curious and haunting picture by LaLoux. You can view more of her photos on flickr.

When I first looked at this image I thought “What is it?” Then my next thought was “Does it matter?” Why do we have to know exactly what we are looking at. Is it enough that something catches our eye and our imagination?

However, for the curious, LaLoux has provided an explanation. She says:

“I don’t know. Finally, after dark thoughted sleeplessness for some sleepless hours I got my camera out and aimed at the lightglobes and plant shadows on the wall, illumined by a not so bright moonlight through the west window.

I’m surprised anything at all showed up. Levels raised so it is visible in the blackness.

Yeah. That’s exactly it. 4am. insomnia. That’s one of common visages on such nights.”

I read through to the comments that had been left on flickr about this photo and found a wonderful poem. The poem was posted by al-ICE g / Alice. She says:

“Wow, LaLoux. This is a wonderful picture. I’ve been thinking for a long time about what would work as a picture to go along with a poem my mother wrote with the title (of course) of “4 AM”. This one is perfect. So I think I’ll insert my mother’s poem here, while I wait to find an image of my own.”

4 AM

Thank you LaLoux for the picture and thank you Lilly Grebanier for the poem.

I awake
It is dark
Turn on the radio
Night voices offer
Advice
I have no need for

Hungry i step quietly
Down the stairs
Back in bed
I reach for a favorite book
The old Chinese poets

Flowers born a thousand years ago
Bloom and fall again
Ancient moonlight ripples
Anew on flowing streams
A temple gong struck
In distant time in distant place
Reverberates

Darkness pales
I lift the shade
Ailanthus leaves
Drop yellow
Slowly
In the growing light

(Lilly Grebanier)

4am Project » washington

Insomnia