The Bearded One

The Bearded One

i traveled to hallowed ground a wretched man
broken, disturbed, shallow, and vain
internally full of echos
eyes full of noise
happy i was?
day of rest arrives for some
night arrives for me
it calls me to my feet
it calls me out
streets are empty
quiet surrounds me
ears easily enticed by ego filled light
voices tell me to walk the lines
streets are empty?
shadows
they seem to follow me
alone?
yes, but i sense a?
mind wandering
eyes darting
nose pulsing
skin tingling
gasping, heavy breath
are shadows moving?
yes
blinking
moving slowly, it does
my mind wants to move
feet will not listen
hair standing
a sudden breeze bending my knees
the shadow upon me
an unseen hand
touching my head
my walls crumble
water gushes forth
trembling calmly
a kiss on my eye
the man in my head
starts to scream
falling, i fall, falling, i fall
trembling calmy
cry, cry, cry, cry, i cry, i fall
a kiss on my eye
a voice, a touch, a kiss
the screaming is silenced
peaceful joy makes it presence
i am lifted
i have felt
i traveled to hallowed ground
unknowingly
or
did i?
shadow forms into
a bearded presence
his arms hold
me tight
he bleeds the man in my head
he whispers without a sound
pulling me up, pulling me up, up, up, up
peace
calmness
is this a dream?
peace
calmness
awake
a dream i did not have
the bearded one has a face
he is real
he is with me
always
awake
at peace
i traveled to hallowed ground
with an unconscious purpose
always known
by

Drew Frederic

Model: John Madden
Location: Rockport, MA

John and I have collaborated on a couple of photo shoots these past years. This particular photo comes from a series I did one day with him in Rockport, MA. We took a ton of pics, did a lot of talking and laughing. Then we came to a spot in our day when no more words were spoken. Energy placed him and myself in a zone. Energy created a place in time for this shot to take place and the subsequent shots you will all soon see.

Why this shot with this poem? The significance of this poem?  The poem is a result of a trip to Tel Aviv, Israel. I was a broken man, my ego controlled my existence. As my two month Middle Eastern trip was about to expire, I decided to take a walk on my last night in Tel Aviv.  I love the energy of night, I love the solitude, the sounds.  As I was walking along Rothschild Blvd at 1 a.m., I felt this warm breeze hit me and I froze. I looked around to see who else was around. I saw no one, I was alone. But I was not alone. I felt a presence. Peering out in the darkness to see who else was there I was suddenly engulfed with emotion, with energy. I immediately crumbled to my knees. Tears flowing and sobbing so loudly it deafened the quiet night. Crying and trembling. I was overcome by this energy and sense of peace. I just let my soul react to what was hitting my core. The rest is a conversation. But I did arise smiling.

Even tho John did not break me to my knees, shooting him that day was peaceful and full of joy and laughs. Looking at this picture I took of him reminds me of that night. I will let you use your imaginations as to why.

Cheers, Drew Frederic