Today by Chipka
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Description
There was rain, maybe a thousand years ago, maybe more. It was salty, tinged with the scent of iron; it was water in the form of sweat, perhaps beaded on the flesh of an oarsman plying some northern sea or the shallower warmth of the Mediterranean. It beaded, it followed the pull of gravity, dropping—plop—into river currents, lake currents or those of an entire, mighty ocean. The beaded droplet diffused. It lost itself in the greater body of water, becoming one with the larger thing, its molecules joining other molecules in a strange dance, perhaps through the gills of fish. I am sure that some of the water dissociated, that its molecules spread out, broke apart, recombined. I am certain that a thousand years ago, or more, water in the form of sweat dropped from the shoulder of an oarsman. I don’t know his name.
There was rain. Today. This afternoon, maybe this evening in an hour I scarcely remember. I saw it, beaded on blades of plant growth. It was chilly and damp. The weather (today, as on many days) was friendly to molds, to lichens, and to other aquaphilic life forms. It was cloudy, today, though vapor broke into spots of sunlight near the sun’s final flourish. The water bore nothing in common with sweat from a thousand years ago, and yet—perhaps by some odd miracle of coincidence—a single molecule of oarsman’s sweat survived, robbed of salt and human warmth. I know that such a molecule must surely exist: at least one—a single pair of hydrogen atoms bonded with a lone atom of oxygen. This molecule (for an improbable span of time) might have survived the rigors of currents, the metabolic processes of fish, and evaporation. An oarsman’s sweat might just possibly have evaporated into clouds far, far above, only to fall and rise and fall again (as the cycles of evaporation and condensation must surely demand.) Such an ancient molecule (two hydrogen atoms bonded to a lone note of oxygen) might have journeyed around the world, above the world, and settled…subtly and without notice, in an alley in Chicago’s Albany Park.
Maybe not. But it’s a nice thought. It makes me think of the names of oarsmen, long forgotten.
*
I took this picture today. I made a trip from one place to another, in search of rice pudding and Dr. Pepper. I saw water droplets. I saw an abandoned sofa. I saw dog drops in strange, rusty colors. I photographed the water drops. Funny how it made me think of oarsmen.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great weekend and a happy impending Mother’s day to all mothers and to the kids who made them possible.
Comments (31)
eekdog
love the dew drops, you capture amazing shots. 5+
NefariousDrO
As is always the case, you present a powerful, compelling even image, then completely outshine it with lyrical, poetic might be more accurate, vignettes that take us out of our accustomed places and into a world that you might have conceived of, but now has been populated by the rest of us. and I'm a bit reluctant to leave it, now. Also, tell the truth: You've been thinking of burly Vikings clad in leather leggings, fur vests, and no shirt, haven't you?
mgtcs
Wonderful shot here, gorgeous capture Chip, spectacular writing my friend, loved it!
jocko500
super cool
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend.
bimm3d
lovely photo and great POV!!
0rest4wicked
Fantastic lighting makes this shot! The spray of the water glistening on this broad green oar.
auntietk
I believe DrO has caught you out, my friend! :D Do you know the movie "The Point!" with music by Harry Nilssen? There's a song that comes to mind ... Think About Your Troubles about a salty teardrop that falls into your teacup and ends up in the ocean and gets eaten by a fish that gets swallowed by a whale and ends up as a raindrop and comes out through your faucet and you make a cup of tea ... No oarsmen, but you might enjoy the movie, nonetheless. I believe he was on acid when he got the idea. Not surprising ... it's a VERY trippy movie! Have we had this conversation before? This seems awfully familiar to me.
CaressingTheDark
Love the drops
whaleman
Yes, but did you find the rice pudding and Dr Pepper? Nice shot!
Crabbycabby
Stunning.
Bossie_Boots
Amazing i love the dew drops superb capture !!
durleybeachbum
Like I said the other day..'Matter can neither be created nor destroyed, but it's form can be changed...' Is rice pudding good cure for taking ones mind off muscly rowers?
-Jordi-
What a good shot and mastery of the English language, always inspiring.
helanker
This is a really lovely capture. Green with beautiful droplets.
Feliciti
wonderful shot with one of our four elements , like ur thoughts...
MrsRatbag
A wonderful little piece of chipism; beautiful photo and interesting musings!
flavia49
great picture and prose!!
gonedigital
Wonderful words and image my friend. Thank you for sharing a moment of beauty with me and allowing me to share your journey of wonder. Love, light, and blessings your way.
MagikUnicorn
Sweet macro shot
Orinoor
I've always been fascinated by single drops of water, so perfectly formed, like little worlds all their own. What a great journey you took, following a single drop of perfect water. I still can't imagine what it must be like to eat rice pudding and drink Dr Pepper....
francinechristophe
Thank you for this beautiful pic AND for your poetic view of "drops"
witch_1612
Wonderful Work!!!
RodS
Wonderful, refreshing macro capture, Chip! Really enjoy seeing the world(s) through your eyes!
icerian
Magic capture and thoughts! Excellent!
sandra46
EXCELLENT! GREAT IMAGE!
moochagoo
Great work and atmosphere. I like it !
beachzz
And off I go into yet another world of fantasy after I see your foto and read your words. Happens every time and I love it--but love more that you simply start writing and magic happens!!!
nikolais
lovely closeup and touching words!
danapommet
A beautiful parade of rain drops Chip and I can understand the oarsmen thoughts. I rowed at Boston University and there were rows of sweat everywhere. :>) Dana