Death is not pretty
LeftCoastKenny
Death is not pretty, the photographer reminds us. And yet in my imagination this deer could wake, shaking out dozy muscles, getting to her feet and stretching out her spine in one long, swift movement before she darts a glance my way and disappears.
The sombre beauty of the scene distracts us from reality while it nudges at the truth. The dirt at the side of the road matches the doe’s ruddy coat, as if the earth is already consuming her. The dappled shadows, like the coat of the fawn she will never have. The slick black road, wet with tears as it sweeps away and disappears beyond the bend into another place.
It is not mawkish or gruesome, but authentic and subtle in its treatment. Death is not pretty but there is a quiet, dignified beauty in this scene.
Blog photograph copyrighted to the photographer and used with permission by utata.org. All photographs used on utata.org are stored on flickr.com and are obtained via the flickr API. Text is copyrighted to the author, Debra Broughton and is used with permission by utata.org. Please see Show and Share Your Work
