Ship of State - 2009

Posted by Stephen Phillips (San Francisco, United States) on 3 January 2009 in Documentary & Street and Portfolio.

This was the alternate choice for my first image of 2009. An allegory for the condition of all things worldly - heading into the new year.

My first rule in hiring a ship's captain has always been - never hire anyone who lived most of their life away from the sea (say Oklahoma and central Texas). The captain has our craft aground - and is about to abandon ship. A new skipper is on his way and will attempt to steer us to safety - using resources not found here.

Times are troubled on our beautiful little blue ball spinning through the void of space - we are all in this together. Hope, faith, purpose, focus, wisdom, and a commitment to peace and love; along with patience and tolerance will be required from everyone. It is a time of action - we can't afford to sit by and let 'them' try to fix things. We must all be working toward solutions.

Captain, oh Captain - our prayers are with you - lead us wisely and well.

[notebook]: beginning tomorrow - an extended visit to my home town - a photographic look at San Francisco.

© copyright 2009 by Stephen Phillips Photography / San Francisco / www.joyoflight.com
please respect these rights - do not copy or use these images without permission

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Comments (19)

Suzanne from Huntington Bch, United States

Wrecked or just neglected ships make me sad. I wish I could take it home and see what I could make out of it.

3 Jan 2009 6:52am

@Suzanne: I first found this wreckage in 2004. The stern was still intact then - it is now badly broken apart. You can see this old boat disintegrating in slow motion.

Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada

But it's so beautiful, I'd love to have it in my yard, where I would fill it with flowers, it's stunning. I like your words of peace Stephen :)

3 Jan 2009 10:06am

@Lorraine: It actually rests in a lovely spot. There are two rows of houseboats just behind the derelict. The residents have created a lovely garden and garden path along here - and our boat is part of the 'art' in the landscape.

I didi a couple of essays on this community about five years ago:

http://www.joyoflight.com/Page01_B.html

Betty from New Jersey, United States

Your photo and your comments... so perfect for this time. Well done, Stephen!

3 Jan 2009 10:35am

Marcie from United States

Wonderful metaphor. Love how you put it together with your commentary on the state of the world today.

3 Jan 2009 11:03am

Calusarus from St Sorlin en Valloire, France

A beautiful composition with this old wood boat…

3 Jan 2009 11:36am

yz from Budapest, Hungary

Beautiful painterly shot. Nice allegory really.

3 Jan 2009 12:25pm

MontereyJohn from Salinas, California, United States

Yep, that about sums it up ...

3 Jan 2009 1:28pm

Alphons from Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands

Beautiful picture, but I hope the world is better off.

3 Jan 2009 2:09pm

Mirko Herzner from Mühlheim am Main, Germany

What an impressive work both in words and photography to start a new year. May it be a happy one for you...

3 Jan 2009 3:08pm

chrissy from London, United Kingdom

what a shame its now unloved and neglected

3 Jan 2009 3:13pm

@chrissy: Hey chrissy - our old boat actually rests in a lovely garder - maintained by an unlikely community of houseboats anchored along here. I did an essay on this place about five years ago, if you're interested:

http://www.joyoflight.com/Page01_B.html

Anthony Lambert from Bielefeld, Germany

Great shot,well spotted as well.

3 Jan 2009 3:58pm

melodia from ffm, Germany

how funny what you can find around there ... good documentation photo.

3 Jan 2009 5:13pm

Paco Díaz from Spain

A good story you tell us to introduce the splendid image of this survivor :)

3 Jan 2009 8:14pm

@Paco Díaz: Thank, Paco - best wishes to you.

willow from Chelsea, United States

Your words make me smile - we are all in this together and right now we've got a chance to shore up our leaky little craft. Here's to 2009. Can't wait to see your SF photos. I haven't been there since 1975. I'm guessing it's changed a bit since then.

4 Jan 2009 1:03am

@willow: Buckle your seat belt. It is not the same little town you left behind.

Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada

Thanks so much for the link Stephen, it was wonderful to read about it and look at the photos, I hope this cozy corner will not be destroyed by the ongoing industrialization! You're a great reporter :)

4 Jan 2009 10:22am

@Lorraine: No - there were some that wanted them gone and forced the issue several years ago. The result being that their presence going forward is assured. (San Franciscans like their quirkiness). What impresses me - is the large numbers of folks coming out of their new apartments and condominiums nearby to help the house boaters with the gardens.

Lesley from Lincoln, United States

Fantastic allegory to the state of our union. I have great hope for our new captain!

4 Jan 2009 8:02pm

@Lesley: I am actually excited!

Turnbill from Maine, United States

Ah, very appropriate shot for the new year! When I was a teenager, if my best friend Donny and I had come upon a similar scene we'd have said "Let's see if we can ask the owner to give it to us and we'll fix 'er up!"

4 Jan 2009 9:17pm

@Turnbill: Great! I hope you and Donny have lots and lots of duct tape.

grant from kansas city, United States

what a fabulous wreck - well done!

5 Jan 2009 2:33am

Walter from Watkinsville, United States

I like this photo because of the composition and how the boat has become the landscaping.

6 Jan 2009 1:10am

@Walter: You are correct - the only that would move this boat is a bulldozer. And I've never thought about it but what a curious word, 'bulldozer'.

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