for all that it lacks

This photo is not technically great. It could be sharper, with less noise. If I had taken my time, adjusted settings, studied how I wanted to take it. But that was never a choice.

It was one of those moments, so fast, if I had looked down to make sure I didn't miss my step up onto the pavement, if I had turned to the right to see why the man down the street was yelling, or why that taxi driver had his hand firmly pressed down on his car horn with no intention of stopping, if I had blinked.

And for all that it lacks technically, I still feel an affinity to the story it tells. To this woman walking past, and this frail man looking up at her, his thoughts, I will not even try to guess.