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somewhere over the rainbow (and other stories)

  Exactly two years ago I found myself flying through a corner of a rainbow, and landed in Oaxaca, Mexico. It was the last film festival I traveled to, a brutal and sweet experience in the harshest of realities, trying to wrap my arms around the slipperiest industry and failing magnificently. Surrounded by fresh faces and eager eyes I ran from the rooms and into the street time and again, wandering off with the camera in my bag as a companion. I took pictures of a blind man that sang on the same corner every day, of wedding parades, of an old woman waiting to see the dentist.  Literally somewhere over the rainbow, I met the ugliest answers to questions I had been dragging my feet towards for years. Cramming the most delicious food into my mouth, joking at the nightly rooftop cocktail parties, grinning like the Cheshire Cat it was all coming to an end. Actually, it had ended before it even started though - and on the plane back to New York and finally Moscow the bone-crunching undertow

Danny Boy - an Irish Song

She picks it, out of thin air. A laugh jumps out of my mouth and I am looking for chord charts. It is in a number of keys. The little guitar is in my lap, my elbows twisting around. She is next to me, leaning against my shoulder.
"There is a second verse." She says.
We try it in C but it is too high.
I go for the Johnny Cash version next.
It fits.
Then, mid-word she grows quiet. I point at the place, thinking she just got lost.
She is crying, her face folding in on herself the way it does.
I hold her, we talk quietly. She whispers to me, says the song is too sad. I make jokes, change the words to "Oh Beasty Boy" then put it all in Brooklyn where lots of words change to "mustard" and "bridge".
We let it go.

The next day she says she can do it, over a bowl of cereal.







Comments

liv said…
Start the parade, indeed!

Bravo, Brava!

These little videos are enchanting. Next, Eva's rendition of Pharrell Williams "Happy"....with dancing!!

Thank you so much for such joy on a Monday morning.
Uncle Al said…
a Heart felt treasure of Father & Daughter sharing this song of sadness. Open & honest as only home video can be!
Rubye Jack said…
Oh my gosh, this is so touching and beautiful.

Not sure how I found your site but am glad I did.
Unknown said…
Very sweet. I once lived in Russia (Moscow) and feel many same thoughts as you. Made wonderful friends there but am glad and fortunate to be back home. Thank you for sharing your writing and photographs.
Mrs. Munchkin said…
I really enjoyed this....to see your interaction and love is priceless!

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