Tree, Prospect Park
About 15 years ago, I was with a friend who introduced me to an artist who lived in Brooklyn. We went out to Prospect Park. The two of them sat down and lit up the usual illegal substance that I was discovering all Brooklyn artists carry around. I had a few puffs and we went for a walk in the woods. I was carrying a heavy tripod and the Mamiya 6.
There was a small stream with a log across it. The two of them had been reading the don Juan sagas and wanted to find the warrior in themselves - or something like that. I hadn't read those books and was nervous about crossing the stream because I had been suffering from vertigo - which still comes and goes (some inner ear thing that was diagnosed as Labyrinthitis). I took a few steps onto the log and thought I'd fall in with the camera stuff. They were both on the other side already and laughing and shouting that I should concentrate on my naval and I'd find the courage to make the crossing. The illegal substance was making my vertigo worse.
When I concentrated on my naval I only found a great big coward lurking there. So I told them to go on ahead and I'd meet them later. I'm a great believer in finding the coward in yourself.
So off I went into these dark overcast woods. I wandered around - more paranoid than relaxed until finally I just sat down across from this tree. As I stared at it, I realized it was the only thing with even a dash of light around. There was a storm coming. Still somewhat dizzy - I setup the tripod and took this shot.
Later they came back and found me sitting peacefully against the same tree - the light now gone - sound of thunder in the distance. The artist was soaking wet and had fallen in on the way back. He blamed it on the divorce he was going through which had defeated his inner warrior.
I always liked the print - but I don't know if it communicates the mystery I felt about it or just looks like light on a tree.
