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Larry Ahern | all galleries >> Photo a Day / again ?? >> PAD 07/2004 > 07/02/2004
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07/02/2004

SP above and below II

From chapter 2 of Two Crows

(I guess I really need to call this a semi autobiography
It is going to cover what happened to me be between 1968 – 1971)
Pretty intense years …

I don’t know which is worse;
to want what you can’t have or to want what you shouldn’t have.
I speak, of course, of want in terms of desire not need.

Desire is a curious thing. The entire universe has needs . . .
then strives to resolve those needs.
All that is beautiful or terrible in nature and in heaven is a result of needs being resolved.
Only this unique animal, of which I am one, can desire.
Desire is stronger than need but lacks its rationality,
which explains why unique as well in the community of the universe only
the human animal can be foolish, cruel, or kind for that matter.

It is impossible to need what you should not have,
but it is rather easy to make a career of desiring the same.
If anything else were true there would be no need for philosophers,
poets, monks, avatars or cops.
Because of desire the history of mankind is sloppier than that of the universe
but far more interesting.


other sizes: small medium original auto
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Karen Leaf03-Jul-2004 03:49
Profound again, Larry. Excellent analysis of the human condition. Your photo complements your thoughts, very well.
Michael Todd Thorpe03-Jul-2004 03:29
Nice, Larry! And insightful comments.
The flash makes this look like the inner you peaking out from your person. Nice contrast with the wary look on your face.

Very nice!
Rick Lewis03-Jul-2004 01:04
Thanks for the thoughts. Well said. The image makes me...not...want to buy a used car from you.
Guest 02-Jul-2004 22:32
I come to think of: how can you distinguish clearly between need and desire - especially at the age you are referring to? I think we all experiment with the two and maybe learn it along the way over the years... Your SP being without colours and a bit hazy might suggest the same. We get to narrow our desires (and relations), leave some things behind, pick our needs and become more defined (clear and colourfull) as persons... just what I came to think
penny roots02-Jul-2004 20:51
Great work Larry .
Anna Yu02-Jul-2004 20:30
Desire if left to fester too long can grow into a need.
Guest 02-Jul-2004 20:18
Excellent portrait, Larry. And very nice "lyrics", as I would call it,
if photography is anything like a song.
Guest 02-Jul-2004 18:44
Very nice image..it fits very well with your
thought provoking commentary!!
Costi Jacky 02-Jul-2004 17:56
Beautiful presentation of your SP.
christianl02-Jul-2004 17:12
Yes on both picture and text...
jude02-Jul-2004 16:55
I like the expression you have in the image, Larry. As for the commentary:
"Desire is stronger than need but lacks its rationality"
"It is impossible to need what you should not have, but it is rather easy to make a career of desiring the same."
and "Because of desire the history of mankind is sloppier than that of the universe but far more interesting"

Perfectly expressed.
Willa Dios02-Jul-2004 16:29
Each of your self portraits seems to capture the mood you are in at that time, which isn't always as easy a thing to do as it sounds, no matter who the photographer is!
Nice shot, Larry.
Guest 02-Jul-2004 13:40
The SP does suit the commentary perfectly! Nicely done, on both counts!!
Stu02-Jul-2004 11:56
You will need to let us know when your book is published... from the excerpts, it looks as if it will be an interesting read.
Gayle P. Clement02-Jul-2004 11:33
Very nice self portrait, interesting commentary. Very well written. It certainly does express one of the unique features of the human condition.
Guest 02-Jul-2004 11:23
Nice sp, very nice framing!
Karen Stuebing02-Jul-2004 10:24
Very deep, Larry. You're quite a thinker and able to articulate that in written word very well.

And the self portrait is a perfect photographic expression of the commentary.
Jude Marion02-Jul-2004 10:06
Very nice image ... I think it suits the commentary very nicely!
Lou Giroud02-Jul-2004 09:06
You're in the fog, Larry. Nice rework.