Thursday, August 14, 2008

Thematic Photographic 11: Poignant v.1.0


"The Order Of Battle Is Written In The Shadows Of A Hard Black Line" (Pat Benatar, "Too Long A Soldier" © 1988)
Washington, DC - August 2008 (Click to embiggen)

Thematic Photographic hosted by Carmi - Button Image by Smarmoofus Hosted by Written Inc.

This week's Thematic Photographic prompt is "Poignant". Initially I thought that would be a pretty tough challenge. Then I remembered that "poignant" doesn't necessarily mean sad. Really! I looked it up!
poign·ant adj.
1. keenly distressing to the feelings: poignant regret.
2. keen or strong in mental appeal: a subject of poignant interest.
3. affecting or moving the emotions: a poignant scene.
With that in mind, the possibilities opened up considerably. But no sooner did this epiphany strike me than I remembered this shot from a trip to Washington DC 10 years ago. I don't know whose name she was looking for, but I hope she found some peace along with it.

Some go to The Wall looking for a name, some go looking for closure. I went looking for an answer I didn't find.

Thirty years later have we learned a damn thing?edible latex panties girls rubber leather licking slick wet lesbian asian amateur milf horny housewives mother theresa


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18 comments:

Barbara said...

It looks like we were of the same mind for this week's TP. I agree that poignant doesn't necessarily mean sad, but scenes like these do come to mind first it seems.

SandyCarlson said...

Have we learned? I don't know. That is a powerful photo. Wow.

Mojo said...

@Barb: Yeah, when my comment shows up at Carmi's you'll see I had the same thought. I said "You read my mind."

@Sandy: Clearly some of us haven't learned. But perhaps we will before it's too late.

Suzie said...

Very piongiant indeed. (I wish I could spell it)

Barbara said...

Mojo, you are right about the USS Arizona, too. To actually know the remains are still beneath your feet and to see the oil rising is beyond poignant.

snowelf said...

This is such a compassionate photo--and maybe it's just the subject matter, since it's such a meaningful place to so many people, but I really like how you captured the moment.

--snow

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Dianne said...

I remember the first time I went to the wall. As you walk down toward it the air seems to still, as if there may be voices wanting to be heard.

I just need to close my eyes for a moment to remember that day.

Lovely photo. Poignant to me means touching and that describes this shot.

Linda said...

I was on Omaha Beach 3 years ago...there is nothing so deafening as the sound of the waves washing across your feet...and you can only imagine the waters running red...

To us, it's sacred ground, for so many lives lost. To the French, it's a beach to play and swim. Odd...

Great picture. My husband has a cousin whose name is on that wall...

Anonymous said...

Definitely poignant. My throat closed and my eyes watered. I was a teenager spending the summer with my Aunt when my cousin returned from Viet Nam. He spent weeks trying to learn how to sleep again.

He would come into the family room where I slept on the couch and wake me. He would sit on the floor and I would rub his shoulders while we watched some sappy old show on late night TV.

He would finally go to sleep leaning against the couch in some awkward position. It just about drove my aunt nuts because she didn't understand why he would sleep on the floor when he had a perfectly good bed.

Raven said...

Poignant indeed and your question is more poignant. Given the state of things in this country today, we seem to have either learned nothing or learned wrong things. I know that there are and have been voices raised about the false war we were dragged into, but I am so sad and angry that Bush and Co continue to go unimpeached and unchallenged and that there is even a chance that another war-mongering psycho might get control of this country. We'd better pay extra special attention to who McCain picks as a running mate, too. Agh. Sorry. I'm ranting.

Moving post.

tiff said...

Even thoseo f us who don't know anyone who has a name on that wall can and are affected by it. So many names.

Great take on the theme.

Carletta said...

Very appropriate photo.

Thanks for coming by today and seeing my foggy window. I checked out the river shot you linked - very cool - thank you.

Dianne - Bunny Trails said...

Excellent post for this theme. I also appreciate that you looked up the definition. Sometimes we have a word set a certain way in our heads, only to discover it means so much more. :D

Channah said...

I remember the first time I saw the wall; it felt like time was moving slower, you can just feel the presence of all the people who have come before you to remember.

Unknown said...

Perfectly poignant~!

The wall was supposed to be near us soon, I can't remember the dates but thanx for reminding me. :)

Kmommy said...

What a great photo! Awesome! Very fitting.