Bedloe’s Island

My first impression, seeing the previous entry, was shadow.   A very tall shadow.  Gearing-up for today’s turn I was also thinking tennis, court, ball, clay, grass, etc.  Unable to release my mind from a sports and field thing, I was reeling. Then it occurred to me that Russ’ shadow was tall, and the posture somewhat confident.  “Standing tall” became my mantra for today, and this image stood out in my mind. Standing tall, detail in the shadows, fits pretty well.  It’s also blue, contains a flag… pretty much, my signature themes. — Also my last play for this round, a nice parting shot.  Great experience, playing Daily Photo Game.  Thanks to all of my fellow players for the challenge and the inspiration. JP

She stands at the gateway of our nation, just north of the place where the mighty rushing Hudson meets the Atlantic.  She watches over the harbor, sees the ships that pass in the night, knows the secret aspirations of our immigrants, she is the greeter of a minion of untold millions.  She lifts the spirits of the broken, bolsters the morale of the faithful, she lights the way.  Do not attempt to catalogue her knowledge… Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. “Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” – Emma Lazarus