public toilet by aglaia b
For the amenity of self
I’m only standing here
as long as it takes
to purge you from the centre of me
you sit back there thinking I’ve not got a heart
but I do
and I am going to take it back from you.
I’m going to hold it
warm it again
and place it back where it belongs
in my chest
proud and functioning
without you.
I care not that you are everything
one thing
more than something I ever wanted
It’s too late now
I am washing it all away;
Down
around
circling through the bends
gurgling and spluttering
away into the ocean of tears
where the waves curl and lick the saltiness
under again where it belongs
today
I am going to stand up straighter than I ever have
there is no other way
I am going to stare at myself in that mirror
until my eyes become my own again
and I’m going to say it all
until I believe it.
Goodbye.
© ryan
This wonderful poem was written by the very talented writer and good friend
nicole ryan
This series was shot the old fashioned way, the camera an old Pentax K1000 with ILford Black and White film and hand printed using high contrast filters.
This public toilet was utterly disgustingly dirty and had not been cleaned for who knows how long. The available light just made it look beautiful!
No post production on this, it’s a straight scan from the original hand printed print.
Comments
Love that hair cut, is it shaved at the back Brilliant once again, makes you feel asthough you are intruding on someones private moment.
yes a fresh haircut! thank you!
– aglaia b
sin city.
LOVE that film, thanks!
– aglaia b
Your images contain such strong narratives…………you are a powerful artist, well done.
thank you barssel, i always appreciate your comments ;-)
– aglaia b
love the texture grain of this – you are really quite skilled with texture!
would you believe it’s all in the black and white film i used and dark room process.
thanks for noticing :-)
– aglaia b
plus the composition, naturally.
thank you, i really enjoy your work also!
– aglaia b
you are master..indeed…your portraits are so diferent to others….
thank you my dear….so are you! ;-)
– aglaia b
this is so cinematic. wonderful tone, black against white. fine portfolio.
thank you shawhouse. that is grand coming from you!
– aglaia b
This is such a powerful and dramatic photograph! This woman possesses such strength and feeling! This photograph in beautiful tones of black and white, make it an analytical statement, and establishes the fact that you are a very talented and seriously interesting photographer! Well done Aglaia!Sx
once again sophie your words just blow me away!
thank you so much.
this woman is my sister and believe me she does “possess a huge amount of strength and feeling!”
she sits at number 4 of the five girls in our family. my poor brother being the last!Ax
– aglaia b
perfect light atmosphere and model
thank you my dear! ;-)
– aglaia b
This is like a still from a 1940s movie-it’s very film noir. Fantastic lighting and pose!
love film noir helen. thanks!
– aglaia b