![\"\"](\"http:\/\/svendavisson.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/old_charity4-779x1024.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDeveloper reduces the silver halide crystals
\ntransforming light to precious metal.
\nThen stop bath, fixer, water wash.
\nA moment frozen in a magick mirror
\nof alchemy and chemistry.
\nThe now becomes something made\u2014
\nan object, an inverted window to minutes ago.<\/p>\n
The shelter of the Claiborne Oaks
\ncut down to make way for I-10
\nnow replaced by painted trees
\non cement columns supporting the expressway
\nsuffering the generation loss
\nof successive copying.
\nI look out over Tulane Avenue toward the river
\nBig Charity stands a toothless specter
\nthe broken eyes of the tuberculosis hospital
\nred brick in the foreground.
\nA handsome man stands at the corner
\nof N. Robertson and Louisa texting
\nmaking the commute home worthwhile.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The smell of vinegar instantly
\nbrings back memories of darkrooms.
\nImages rise to the surface in the developer tray.
\nLight became silver
\ntransferred by light to silver again.
\nWhite paper transforms to ghostly icons
\nthe burning building on Canal St
\nbefore the roof collapsed,
\nfire trucks and onlookers
\nthe smell of wet char\u2014
\na drying rack of present moments
\ncaptured at 1\/500 of a second.<\/p>\n
Sorting through old negatives
\nan accidental shot captured on
\nan unnumbered first frame
\nunderexposed silver phantom
\nof a sleeping friend
\ninstantly invoking long hours delving
\ndeep into richly loaded discussions
\nof magickal pagan kaos philosophies.
\nThe irony of starting to read a Teutonic grimoire
\nthe same day you say you\u2019re moving to Finland.
\nConnecting years later time has written
\nits difference on each of us
\nbut also a powerful reminder
\nthat deep friendship can abide.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/svendavisson.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/devere.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n