Moment of stillness

A moment’s stillness

Livid countenance descend

All eyes turn to you

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Some may think the subject unoriginal, but I photographed this sunset with a particular purpose in mind. I wanted to capture the feel of the sudden hush that descended over the crowd in the busy bar where I sat overlooking Margate harbour.

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Having finished my pint of stout (brewed on the premises), I stepped outside onto the seafront sidewalk and noticed, again, that several heads were turned toward the sun. I wasn't intending to take any photographs but... how could I resist? I walked along the seafront until I could position the sun in my frame just to the left of the harbour arm, so that I could render the lighthouse and other features in colourful silhouette.

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After capturing my images of the moment, I moved further on to a somewhat more prosaic task. Along the seafront and down the promenade steps I stooped to pick up the broken glass fragments of a bottle I had seen some youths smash on the steps earlier. Seeing the youngsters leave this parting offering, I was tempted to say something to them but put Satan behind me. I had done worse as a teenager and figured the clean-up was part of my atonement for the sins of my own youth.

Young people face a constant barrage of criticism from an older generation that has much to answer for. Sometimes it is better to encourage (or at least not discourage) youngsters in whatever they choose to do, preferably something more creative that getting drunk, vaping their brains away, and leaving broken glass on beaches. But drunk on a bottle of Amaretto?

What is the youth of today coming to?

Thanks for reading

Ray