Above is a photograph taken by the late Mary Ellen Mark. It previews the life of "trailer trash," through the lens of a pair of nine year old girls. The vivid stillness of this picture almost to be un-paused, and I can hear the unabashed questioning from the nine-year-old woman as to the photographers presence. Her expression demands attention, but not to assume that she needs it. I can hear the water splashing in the pool, and see the supporting girl wading quietly in the water afraid to unlatch her eyes from the camera lens. Bottle clanks, and can "fizzle-pops" harmonize the crude laughter, and flowy profanity of absent parents. A full panorama of throw-outs, giveaways, and hand-me-downs dots a well unattended camp that houses a full variety of criminal recreation. Sex, drugs, and grown-ups live here. The vividness and rawness of this photograph suggest nothing less than a stone's throw from H. E. Double hockey sticks. This picture does more than speak to me, it screams at my good fortune.
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