Riverfronts

May 21

I am thankful for riverfronts that many cities and towns feature. Several come to mind: New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Natchez, Memphis, Austin, Louisville, Augusta, San Antonio and many, many more. It is no coincidence that so many cities are situated next to river thoroughfares. These are for beauty and esthetics, but mostly for trade and transportation.

This photo is of the Baton Rouge riverfront taken at sundown from the sixth floor of the Shaw Center for the Arts. The red building in the front is the Louisiana Arts and Sciences Center museum and planetarium. In the water is the USS Kidd battleship which is on display year round, and to the left of that the Belle of Baton Rouge floating casino. Of course in the background is the I-10 bridge. Like many of my HDR photos, three photos were taken at different exposures which were combined in Photomatix and edited in Photoshop. I was telling my brother that this might be the most beautiful view of the river in Baton Rouge.

on the riverfront

it is a dark night

on the riverfront

time slows to a stop

an old steamer at the forefront

the old boat stops to load

as a couple holding hands

walk upon the river road

one night similar in many ways

to thousands and thousands before

reminiscing of another time

the age of twain

old muddy’s current washes the shore

the boat's moorings restrain

it from drifting

on the riverfront

once more

singly, sailors unload themselves

taking to the quiet streets

to find a busy pub or bar

where they will tell their tall tales

to everyone that they meet

later to find their way back

to their once mighty river fortress

time spent is left forgotten

among the broken bottles and mess

which litter the street.

© rt tulley