The Mystery Woman
And shadowy amongst the shadows
We find you wearing that old gaberdine
…a camera round your neck ...
In black and white.
You walk... you walk
Chicago …..New York streets
Your mouth ...your lips are sealed
In quietude
You snap at life
The tiny shutter clicks
It snaps and clicks
And images are made
…grimy corners…. upmarket shops
Dead ends …Back alleys …Thorough-fares….
…Where people are
Where people sigh and laugh
Fly white balloons
On sunny days in Parks
Where lambs are slaughtered
In the slaughter house. .
But then you walk away
Back to leafy Avenue
The painted gate
The tidy path
The handsome house
.…the hall door mat
And you become the Nanny
With Nanny shoes and hat.
... Ms Maier’s shut away
Inside that dull facade
She disappears in boxes
..in her attic room
She is no more......
Until she leaves the house
And walks the streets again
Year after year.
(A tribute to the unique Vivian Maier 1926 - 2009)
Kristine Byrne
19th July 2014