On my walks from my office to my physical therapist’s office, I pass by a short, squat, slate grey building. Sandwiched between historic brick apartments and shiny new condos, this little building looks more like an out of place relic than a structure of use. There was once a use for this building - not much more than a shed. I don’t remember what it was used for - maybe outreach for the homeless in the area, a place to get a sandwich and coffee to reduce the sting of hunger and abandonment. Now this little shack is empty and abandoned; its windows boarded up, the door locked.
To be honest, I never really thought much of it as I strode up the hill. I am usually in a hurry not to miss my appointment.
But on a cool October day with the sun reflecting off the glistening towers nearby, I stopped. I was across the street from the little shack and something stopped me mid-stride. I turned and looked at the lonely building, boring and grey.
Two trees stood on either side of the building. The trees had begun to turn yellow as trees often do in the fall. I was struck by the improbable beauty of the scene. As light reflected down to the street, the trees glowed. And the little shack was shadowed be the trees on either side remained grey. There was something there though- a story of life and death, of value and disgrace, of beauty in every moment.
I knew that I’d need to bring my camera back that weekend before the storms whipped through the city and shook the trees bare. I even created a little video. I watched through the winter as the leaves fell and thought “this too might be a good photo.” But it was not to be.
As with much of modern life and development, heavy machinery rolled onto the street to begin new construction. The beautiful trees protecting their little grey shack were sacrificed for the growth of the city. The shack is still there , for now, but seems even more lonely and sad than before.
I am not sure what will happen to this little building, but I am happy I was able to capture a moment in the landscape of Seattle.
