Author: andy townend

shades of salamanca

Image | | andy townend

It comes to this: like all of us who have not yet died of plague he fully realizes that his freedom and his life may be snatched from him at any moment”
― Albert Camus

The streets of Salamanca stay muted as Covid-19 shows little sign of receding – although even in the darkest shadows light can be found.

A brief snapshot of the streets of Salamanca in September as the summer slides slowly towards the autumn. The outcome of my latest experimentation with the settings on my Nikon D850 and AF-S Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8 E VR lens.

More to follow.

Wherever you are, stay safe and look for the light in the shadows…

*Images made with Nikon D850 and AF-S Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8 E VR lens*

lockdown | discover | thirty poems

Image | | andy townend

Throughout April, Ben Huberman and the WordPress Discover team team hosted Discover Prompts.

My daily response involved an impromptu poem and a photo made (with one exception) in Accra where I am ‘locked down’  accompanied by an occasional quote or snatched lyric from a song.

You can read all my poems here.

Stay safe and well and let’s fight this thing together, and make sure we don’t forget the lessons we learn when we reach the other side.

now I been out in the desert, just doin’ my time
searchin’ through the dust, lookin’ for a sign

– lyrics from further on (up the road), bruce springsteen

lockdown | discover | thirty | grateful

Image | | andy townend 
i
have 
   my
    path
       to 
        follow
             my 
              home
                 i 
                 carry 
                     on 
                      my 
                       back
                          i  
                          may 
                            be 
                             slow
                                but 
                                  my 
                                   path 
                                      is 
                                       clear
                                           i 
                                           may 
                                             face 
                                                obstacles
                                                        but 
                                                          they 
                                                             slide 
                                                                 beneath 
                                                                       me
                                                                        i 
                                                                        may 
                                                                          not 
                                                                            see 
                                                                              what 
                                                                                 you 
                                                                                   see
                                                                                     but
                                                                                       i 
                                                                                       feel
                                                                                          it
                                                                                           all

*image made with iPhone 11 Pro 4.25mm f/1.8 lens, reasons to be cheerful, accra, ghana*

My final contribution to the WordPress community initiative for the lockdown period in April 2020 – Discover Prompts Day Thirty: Grateful.

Thanks to Ben Huberman and the WordPress Discover team for stepping up to the plate and lending us all their support and encouragement.

Stay safe and well and let’s fight this thing together, and make sure we don’t forget the lessons we learn when we reach the other side.

the juice of a carrot, the smile of a parrot
little drop of claret, anything that rocks

– lyrics from reasons to be cheerful pt.3, ian dury and the blockheads

lockdown | discover | twentynine | list

Image | | andy townend 
let's make a list

of all that we can't do
           no longer do
             long to do

let's make a list
 
    of what we might do
         one (fine) day
        if we are still
                       allowed
                              to

*image made with iPhone 11 Pro 4.25mm f/1.8 lens, are you (list)ening, accra, ghana*

For the WordPress community’s latest initiative Discover Prompts Day Twenty Nine: List. Thanks to Ben Huberman, and the WordPress Discover team for stepping up to the plate.

Stay safe and well and let’s fight this thing together, and make sure we don’t forget the lessons we learn when we reach the other side.

well my soul checked out missing as I sat (list)ening
to the hours and minutes tickin’ away

lyrics from better days, bruce springsteen

lockdown | discover | twentyeight | focus

Image | | andy townend

they came in the night

when we were not looking

when we ticked the box to the t&cs

when we looked the other way

when we ticked the box to the t&cs

when we were having so much fun

when we ticked the box to the t&cs

and then

when our focus was elsewhere

their plan was complete

when we ticked the box to the t&cs

they took it all

away

 

*image made with iPhone 11 Pro 4.25mm f/1.8 lens, the are theirs, accra, ghana*

For the WordPress community’s latest initiative Discover Prompts Day Twenty Eight: Focus. Thanks to Ben Huberman, and the WordPress Discover team for stepping up to the plate.

Stay safe and well and let’s fight this thing together, and make sure we don’t forget the lessons we learn when we reach the other side.

(They) are virtual.

we got a file on you

lyrics from blur

lockdown | discover | twentyseven | team

Image | | andy townend

like these three
we will

survive

whatever the weather
wherever the stream takes

us

if we run the
rapids
as
a

team

*image made with iPhone 11 Pro 4.25mm f/1.8 lens, going with the flow, accra, ghana*

For the WordPress community’s latest initiative Discover Prompts Day Twenty Seven: Team. Thanks to Ben Huberman, and the WordPress Discover team for stepping up to the plate.

Stay safe and well and let’s fight this thing together, and make sure we don’t forget the lessons we learn when we reach the other side.

Find me.

listen to me now
i need to let you know
you don’t have to go it alone

– lyrics from you can’t make it on your own, u2

lockdown | discover | twentysix | hidden

Image | | andy townend 
hidden
           
           behind walls
           (electrified) fences

           behind words
           (electrified) tensions

           behind facades
           (i've created)

           behind excuses
           (forged) 
           from
           fear

           it’s time
           no 
           longer
           to (remain)

                               hidden

*image made with iPhone 11 Pro 4.25mm f/1.8 lens, electrified, accra, ghana*

For the WordPress community’s latest initiative Discover Prompts Day Twenty Six: Hidden. Thanks to Ben Huberman, and the WordPress Discover team for stepping up to the plate.

Stay safe and well and let’s fight this thing together, and make sure we don’t forget the lessons we learn when we reach the other side.

Find me.

’cause I’ll be you and you’ll be me
there’s lots and lots for us to see

– lyrics from, she’s electric, oasis

lockdown | discover | twentyfive | magic

Image | | andy townend

of        winding roads

of        rivers in full flow
of        mountains peaked
of        futures, ripe(ning) with possibility
of        burning leaves
of        candy apples
of        that first, taste
of        that first, warm glow
of        that smile
of        that lingering goodbye
of        those letters
of        the end

of        tears
of        dark long nights
of        bandages and sticky tape(d) care

of        hope
of        that smile (again)
of        another day (in the sun)

of        all things bright and beautiful
of        not forgotten toys
of        (those still remembered) windswept moors
of        oceans deep
of        stars that never go dark

of        paths not yet travelled

of        (all) these things

                     is made

                                magic

*image made with iPhone 11 Pro 4.25mm f/1.8 lens, paint her, accra, ghana*

For the WordPress community’s latest initiative Discover Prompts Day Twenty Five: Magic. Thanks to Ben Huberman, and the WordPress Discover team for stepping up to the plate.

Stay safe and well and let’s fight this thing together, and make sure we don’t forget the lessons we learn when we reach the other side.

Wave that wand, Tinkerbell.

down here on magic street
love’s a fool’s dance
i ain’t got much sense but I still got my feet

– lyrics from, girls in their summer clothes, bruce springsteen

lockdown | discover | twentyfour | elixir

Image | | andy townend

really a road runner that much is clear
who whatever the weather knew no fear
…when in need of relief
…was quite the thief
unwrapping and perspiring ‘e licks ‘ere

*image made with iPhone 11 Pro 4.25mm f/1.8 lens, bottled it, accra, ghana*

For the WordPress community’s latest initiative Discover Prompts Day Twenty Four: Elixir. Thanks to Ben Huberman, Krista Stevens, Michelle Weber and the WordPress Discover team for stepping up to the plate.

Stay safe and well and let’s fight this thing together, and make sure we don’t forget the lessons we learn when we reach the other side.

Drink deep.