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Book Burning 3: Derision
Here’s one more burnt book. I love that the word “derision” is almost the only legible word. I love the texture that the wet book took on as it dried. But mostly, I love that it reminds me of a chrysanthemum in full bloom. If, you know, chrysanthemums were made of paper and were charred and wet from a fire and were in black and white.
Lubbock, Texas
photographed 3.38.2021
Caution: an understatement
Caution, indeed.
Also, look at the smoke line on that wall. That’s kind of cool, but also terrible.
Slaton, Texas
photographed 6.16.2019
Air quality warning
A day and a half after the fire, the ruins were still smoldering and acrid smoke hung heavy in the air. In fact, from the edge of town a pall of smoke was clearly visible.
Just after I made this image, firefighters down at the end of the block started spraying down some hot spots.
No word yet from the fire marshal on the cause of the cause of the fire.
Slaton, Texas
photographed 6.16.2019
It was an urgent situation
An overnight fire took out three businesses, which is sort of a large percentage of overall businesses in this town.
You didn’t ask, but I am going to tell you anyway. The fact that yesterday’s post was a fire-damaged building and so is today’s is a complete coincidence. My workflow is not nearly organized enough to plan out something like that.
You didn’t ask about this either, but I want to say that the businesses that were destroyed – Klemke’s Sausage Haus, Klemke’s Antiques, and the Slaton Family Medical Center – were well-established local outfits, and all of them had been in business for around thirty years. Small-town Texas showed the good side of itself after this fire: there are two different GoFundMe campaigns to help the destroyed businesses. And the town is hosting a street dance and fireworks show on July 6, with proceeds to benefit the businesses. Way to go, Slaton!
Slaton, Texas
photographed 6.16.2019
One Day | One Image 