PicTales Eric Manten PicTales Eric Manten

The Gardener

The Gardener

A long day in the sun…

The Gardener

A long day in the sun

Raking

Weeding

Nurturing

Laboring to make things grow

Williamsburg Garden Tools, 2012.jpg

Now it is time to rest

Tools cleaned and lined up

Looking back with satisfaction

to everything accomplished

Now let nature do her part

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Gawain's Bane

Gawain's Bane

Living bewildered in the wilderness…


Living bewildered in the wilderness

Seeking, seeing, knowing

Cernunnos, Lud, and Silvanas

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Fertility

Going through the never-ending cycle

Death and rebirth

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The Preacher

The Preacher

Look at them…



The Preacher


Look at them

They have no clue!

They need him to explain, to lecture, to guide

And he knows!

Proverb 18 #1, 2007.jpg

They come to hear him every week

The sinners!

Sometimes they talk

But why should he listen?!

He knows better

Proverbs 18:2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions

Proverbs 18:2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions

He will tell them what to do!

He doesn't need to hear them

As long as they listen to be saved!

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The Vintage Car Club

The Vintage Car Club

Chrome Reflections…

The Vintage Car Club

Chrome Reflections

Spoked Wheels

Polished Wood

Triumph_Lights__2014.jpg

Middle Aged Men Conversing

...my twin carburetor

nice paint job...

triumph-engine-bw.jpg

Tarmac Nostalgia

Champagne During Golden Hour

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triumph-steering-wheel-2-2014.jpg
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The Carpenter

The Carpenter

Lovingly he caresses his tools…

The Carpenter

Lovingly he caresses his tools

The image in his mind is to come alive

Chisels #1, 2013.jpg

His dream of greatness

Creating

Carving

Craving for fulfillment

Chisels #2, 2013.jpg

Then steel cuts into wood

Chisel #12, 2013.jpg
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The Miller

The Miller

Round, and round, and round, and round…

The Miller

Round, and round, and round, and round,

the wheels are grinding

and the ground

grain fills the air with dust

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It is just

if the wind is talking

and telling a tale

the wooden wheels are turning

and churning

the miller's tale

Windmill, 2005.jpg
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The Prisoner

The Prisoner

Outside is light…

The Prisoner

Outside is light

Freedom

What brought me here?

Can't remember

Stupidity

looking-for-freedom-2-2015.jpg

If I only was tall enough to reach it

Then I could see more

At least there is the sky

Look, a bird!

She's free

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The Parking Attendant

The Parking Attendant

Good morning sir!

The Parking Attendant

Good morning sir!

Yes, it is broken

Parking #1, 2013.jpg

Please let me put your ticket in

There you go, it opens

Have a great day!

Parking #2, 2013.jpg
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At The Pool

At The Pool

Deck chairs in a row…

At The Pool

Deck chairs in a row

Inviting her to lay down

To be admired

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The hot sun scorching white skin

Waiters with cocktails

Tiny umbrellas making cubes tinkle

Reflections from the pool

White and black patterns

Dizzying, confusing

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Too hot to move

White hurts the eye

Even the water is warm

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The Whaler


The Whaler

Standing upright in the small boat, his eyes searching…

The Whaler

Standing upright in the small boat, his eyes searching

They spotted the pod from the big ship

Now it is up to him to bring the treasure home

This is the moment he has waited for

This is the moment he longed for in his dreams

Whale Tail #1, 2009.jpg

The harpoon in his hands feels like Poseidon's trident

Where is Leviathan?

Where is his foe?

Suddenly the waters start to roar

The rowers increase their speed

There she is!

Whale Tail #2, 2009.jpg

He raises his weapon, ready to strike.

Whale Tail #3, 2009.jpg

Then he sees her eye

Struck with sadness

Grief fills his heart

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The harpoon is lowered

A mighty tail waves goodbye

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The Driver

The Driver

She was beautiful…

The Driver

She was beautiful.

She still was beautiful.

Lovingly his hand caressed her black curves.

Sixty years.

Sixty years already?

Lincoln Capri #2, 2015.jpg

He remembered the day he first met her; how he fell in love.

He remembered when they went out the first time.

Her trembling, responding to his hands.

Sixty years is a long time.

Together they had served.

Lincoln Capri Steering Wheel, 2015.jpg

He remembered when the old lady was a young child.

They had taken her out.

To the park.

They waited while the child and her nanny walked beneath the trees.

Ice cream spills, lovingly wiped off.

Lincoln Capri Detail, 2015.jpg


Then came school.

They had taken her every day.

Books thrown in; boyfriends too.

Music on the radio, stolen kisses.

He always looked away.

Lincoln Capri Dashboard, 2015.jpg

The wedding!

He had dressed her with garlands.

The white flowers painting promises on her black skin.

The young couple laughing.

He was proud.

Lincoln Capri #2, 2015.jpg

They had shared sadness.

The funeral.

How they took the lady to the grave.

They were first in line.

Behind the hearse.

Lincoln Capri #2, 2015.jpg

Today was their last day.

He was old, she was old.

Too old to serve.

He drove her home.

One last time.

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The Firefighter

The Firefighter

Black smoke in the distance…


The Firefighter

Black smoke in the distance

Going there

Fear

Always fear

Will it ever go away?

Black smoke coming nearer

Almost there

Volunteer

Why did I volunteer?

Now I have to go in

Brooklyn Burning, 2012.jpg

Only one question left

Will there be enough water?

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