The bright light of recent days allowed me to take this self-portrait—of sorts. The idea of crossed paths comes from Polish poet Adam Zagajewski‘s brilliant poem “Self-Portrait,” which I’ve shared below. Needless to say, there are numerous other ways to evoke the sense of crossed paths, but this is the one that made sense to me when I took this—and now, too.
Between the computer, a pencil, and a typewriter
half my day passes. One day it will be half a century.
I live in strange cities and sometimes talk
with strangers about matters strange to me.
I listen to music a lot: Bach, Mahler, Chopin, Shostakovich.
I see three elements in music: weakness, power, and pain.
The fourth has no name.
I read poets, living and dead, who teach me
tenacity, faith, and pride. I try to understand
the great philosophers–but usually catch just
scraps of their precious thoughts.
I like to take long walks on Paris streets
and watch my fellow creatures, quickened by envy,
anger, desire; to trace a silver coin
passing from hand to hand as it slowly
loses its round shape (the emperor’s profile is erased).
Beside me trees expressing nothing
but a green, indifferent perfection.
Black birds pace the fields,
waiting patiently like Spanish widows.
I’m no longer young, but someone else is always older.
I like deep sleep, when I cease to exist,
and fast bike rides on country roads when poplars and houses
dissolve like cumuli on sunny days.
Sometimes in museums the paintings speak to me
and irony suddenly vanishes.
I love gazing at my wife’s face.
Every Sunday I call my father.
Every other week I meet with friends,
thus proving my fidelity.
My country freed itself from one evil. I wish
another liberation would follow.
Could I help in this? I don’t know.
I’m truly not a child of the ocean,
as Antonio Machado wrote about himself,
but a child of air, mint and cello
and not all the ways of the high world
cross paths with the life that–so far–
belongs to me.
Chris Bronsk 
Oh thanks. Same here. I will be back : )
Thank you very much. I’m a fan of your blog and am glad you liked this shot. Thanks for looking at my photos.
A fantastic picture. I like the way you think and see things…
Maybe, or just a very sunny day. Glad you liked the photo.
Male chastity belt.
Thanks for the feedback, and thanks for checking out my blog.
this one is indeed a good one
Thanks for the positive feedback and the follow.
Great photo mate!
I think the lock cant be in other place than that to make such a strong picture!
Such a pleasure! And thanks for the follow, too :)
Thanks, Melaniey, for stopping by and looking at my photos.
Whoa that’s so clever!
Thanks, Sheila, Purely accidental.
what a great shot – interesting placement of that lock!
Thanks, Tim. I appreciate your looking at my photos.
This is a super photograph.
Thanks, Sarah!
great photo.
Thanks, Brenda. I appreciate your stopping by and looking at my photos.
Thanks, Karl. Much appreciated.
I enjoyed meeting you through your description of self, visually and narratively,
Brilliant picture. I likes the open as well.