I have not blogged for a while. A mixture of high pressure work, forced absences, and photo jobs as long as the M6. But this morning, in spite of this ongoing spiral where I seem either glued to my DSLR or the PC and Photoshop, I felt I needed a release. And that release often comes through writing. Some of you who are reading this will by now have opened a very inflammatory email from me written in a blood red font and cast out across the ether at just after one this morning. That email was, I know, a rant of the highest order, where all my fury was unleashed upon this Govt. and its inadequate bumbling. I did however empathise with the ‘lot’ of a handful of police officers trying to cover a vast topographical area on a Friday night.
We live in society where the mongrel prowls, free to snap and snarl at will, fuelled on drugs and drink with no fear of authority. My son was doing nothing other than strolling after the rain and ‘minding his own’. Last night in A&E, as again, for the umpteenth time that day, I raised my Digital SLR to my right eye, he was a mess. This morning he looks worse. I cannot bear the thought of taking yet more images of his hideously swollen face. He is ok, or will be in a little while.
We live in society where the mongrel prowls, free to snap and snarl at will, fuelled on drugs and drink with no fear of authority. My son was doing nothing other than strolling after the rain and ‘minding his own’. Last night in A&E, as again, for the umpteenth time that day, I raised my Digital SLR to my right eye, he was a mess. This morning he looks worse. I cannot bear the thought of taking yet more images of his hideously swollen face. He is ok, or will be in a little while.
As I write these words, I pause to gaze at a soft, Selenium toned photograph that sits on the wall in my study. It is an image of a little boy who had just about learned to walk and was happily strolling through the long grass on a rural South Staffordshire common. I didn't plan the photograph, it was a grab shot from a lovely autumn day in 1990. It is one of my favourites and one of my finest. That little boy has endured a lot. Nearly taken from me at age twelve, the victim of a non-stop RTC and ironically, but thankfully, saved by my best friend (an EMT called to the scene). The loss of his mother almost exactly two years ago. Now this. June is not a pleasant month in this house. Excuse me now, I have that empty feeling in my stomach, the precursor of emesis.
7 comments:
I have just dropped my twelve year old son off in the village to make his own way to meet his mates, all very vague arrangements, and all part of growing up. As he walked off up the street, I thought, 'I hope he will be OK', and then chided myself for being over fussy. But reading your post and looking at the your graphic photographs I am very aware that such feelings will be with me forever, as they are for any parents.
I imagine the swelling will fade, more quickly than your very understandable anger.
I am so sorry to hear about your son and to see these distressing pictures. I am not a parent, for which I am glad these days as I wouldn't know how to cope. As an ex policeman and now a Magistrate I can only say that my colleagues and I are doing our best to to keep the "lid on" . Don't believe what's reported in the pressabout softies on the bench - although the government has other ideas!
Hope your son recovers well and puts this behind him. I wish him all the best.
Until we start to punish the offenders of this sort of crime, instead of giving them a slap on the wrist, it will continue to happen!
We as a nation must press for more action to betaken.
I have arrested and charged for much worse assaults and have seen community orders as a result.
No deterrent means no result.
Thanks to all three of you for your comments. He is much better now. But inside we both seeth.
These are why I do what I do!!
I am glad your son is on the mend please give him my regards and tell him that these assaults make us seeth too.
As a police officer I get so angry at this. I detest this liberal country that we have become that will not punish incidents like this effectively. Apparently the focus is shifting toward victims but i have yet to see it. I work on a Major Crime Team (murder squad) and recently had someone sentanced to 3 years for manslaughter when he stabbed a man in the heart during a fight.
My heart bleeds for your son and I have lost heart for the job I do.
I always apologise but why should I for what we have become?
Apologies for spelling mistakes, not my usual standards, late turn and a couple of glasses of wine!!
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