Blues Singer II

Initially, I was going to entitle this, "street musician". But I

decided that Musician was enough. I have known this man for years,

althought I never bothered to get his name; shame on me! He plays a

lively blues repertoir on a corner in Greektown, Detroit MI. He

plays in the cold of winter and the heat of the summer. I dont know

where he lives, althought considering he is there almost daily,

playing for a few dollar bills, I would surmise he probably does not

have a sprawling home in the suburbs. Within a few yards of him lies

a church, several thriving restaurants and a casino. Lots of money

and yet... And me?... I ask to take his photograph with equipment

that cost "a pound and a crown", yet this dear soul must sing for a

few dollars. Makes me wonder where my priorities are as well as

those of our nation; millions of dollars around him, yet he has none.

The next time I am there, I will ask him his name...

His name you ask? You know his name - everyone knows his name. You can hear his name when he wails out his soulful songs. He is yesterday, today and tomorrow. He has many names - it depends upon who is doing the looking and listening. His name is fear to some, sadness to others, sympathy, empathy, spirituality. His name is bedraggled, beggar, bum. His name is Black, beautiful. His name is music, rhythm, blues. His name is memory, from the past of our nation. His name is Africa, his homeland far away. His name is wise man. His name is result, of the shame of a nation too arrogant to take care of it's own, injustice against it's own, prejudice against it's own. Yes, I think we all know his name. It could be that he is richer than most of us with all of our trappings.............choking us into madness, blindness and despair. It could be that we with all our stuff are the real poor souls - the one's with no name. I love the pic!! I really like all the pics in this category very much - very well done Duane.

EJ, I am deeply moved by you very elegant articulation. I am also touched that one of my images inspired you to take the time to pen this epistle.