Reflections On A Yellow Line by Rick Hartford

Camera obscura. "The dark chamber." With it we capture a living reflection and hold it inside Like a butterfly speared with a hat pin. Until we release it back into the world A still life. We hide behind the camera. In the belief that it makes us invisible. A conceit. I stood next to the bus driver. A day in the life on a city bus. I was entranced by the reflection in the mirror. A man and woman. The reflection placed them side by side But they were in separate worlds. An angry young man riding the bus challenged me. He came up from his seat. You can't stand in front of the yellow line! That's the rule! The yellow line. I told him: This is none of your business. We stared at each other for a time. The kid pulled the cord and fled out the side door Glaring at me as he left. Some people believe a camera can steal a soul. Theory is that mirrors can do the same thing. So you have to be careful. And remember You are not invisible once you step over the yellow line.