I Don’t Need To Take A Damn Picture. (Short Essay)
This morning I was rerouted by the Google app where instead of taking the Margaret Hill Hunt Bridge, I was led down Commerce Street into the heart of downtown Dallas. This mornings playlist consisted of a medley of classical instrumentals from some of my favorite current, theatrical composers. This includes Dustin O'Halloran, Olafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm, Goldmund, and others.
Today is an unusual day in Dallas, weather-wise, because I actually felt like standing outside. Of course I was driving, so windows down had to suffice.
As I came to a halt underneath a stoplight, I looked to my right at the fountains that sit next to where a past, great American president was gunned down. I saw an elderly man sitting alone on a bench. The sunlight bounced off of the water creating a picturesque scene.
I pulled out my phone and switched it over to camera mode, but then stopped. What if I just enjoy this. This moment will never be as important a scene as it is right now, in the present.
I had taken a wrong turn, but corrected and continued down Commerce Street.
I found myself stopped at another red light. As I looked up to the building tops in front of me, I saw heat escape a large vent which was the foreground to an even taller building with Texas sunshine rebounding from its windows.
I pulled out my phone once more, switched it to camera mode, and then stopped. What if I just enjoy this. This moment will never be as important a scene as it is right now, in the present.
I continued along my route as I saw a woman jogging through a small park surrounded by the structures it juxtaposed. I watched as a man in a suit walked his two dogs that he appeared to be too busy to walk. I saw a homeless man smoke a cigarette and smile as he made strides to wherever his next destination might be.
My phone came out for a last time, but before opening it, I set it in my lap without turning the screen on. What if I just enjoy this. This moment will never be as important a scene as it is right now, in the present.
I followed my path until I left downtown, but that drive left an impression on me. So many stories, emotions, and moods tied to each person and location. One calm. One tired. One stressed. One complacent. All surrounded by varying degrees of similar, yet distinct stories, emotions, and moods.
I don’t need to take a damn picture today.
