On Wednesday, I revisited Hope Gardens1 in order to take a few photographs. I must comment that, while the grounds weren’t impeccable, there is evidence of much improvement since my last visit around 4 years ago [not counting the regular trips to Ashanti Oasis2, which seems to now be closed]3. I did not visit the zoo.
While wielding my camera along one of the more scenic paths, I spotted a bearded man clad in a khaki shirt and beige pants offset by a brown, knitted tam with a blue pen perched on his left breast pocket walking towards me. Folding his arms before him as though he were posing, he asks, “Can I get a picture?
“Sure,” I respond.
“So what are you going to do with the picture?”
“Well,” I answered “I have no plans of doing anything with it but I can print it and give you a copy.”
“No man,” said he, “you have to do something with the picture.”
“OK, I can put it on my website then, on the internet.”
“Yes man, because I was over there praying4 that I am looking for happiness and a blessing and as soon as I turned around I saw you. So when you put it on the internet, how far [will] it reach?”
“Worldwide.”
“All over the world. Good. And make sure you write that my name is Keith and I am looking for happiness and a blessing.”
So, I spent a bit of time photographing and chatting with Keith who has impressed me as a kind person with a great appreciation of life, especially nature. I also learned that the day before was his birthday. It was a beautiful experience, finding a person expressing their Hope in the eponymous botanical gardens.
In keeping with my promise to Keith, I have uploaded his audio message, recorded with a backdrop of winds and birds and a slideshow of his photos are below.
10 Comments
Well, as they say, you can live in Hope — or die in Constant Spring. I wish him the best of luck.
Keith, the man with the plan! A garden of hope indeed. I like how you brought it all to life.
Wait u gone into the match makin bbusiness? Quite multifaceted 😀
hmmm..interestin…ok then keith,
Bomb### Claat. di grtest galist Jamaica ever produce.dwl
we may joke about it and not realizing the gravity of his situation. the Impudence of hope! we can all learn something from him.
Wow. Suh a weh yaah do work roun mi. How come I’m not invited on these trips of hope, happiness and blessings? lol. Well keith. uuuuuuuuhm. uuuuuuuuhm. You know what. No comment. Plus you forget the line at the bottom. Sponsored by match.com lol.
interesting!!
Nice…I like. You doing something good
..nice! your a regular Nellie Bly. good luck with dat!
This is really nice of you to do, he sounds like a good man and I like how you photograph your really good the photos came out really nice.
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