a touch of color
barred stairs
Posted by e. (New York, NY, United States) on 6 December 2007 in Architecture.
I have often passed these stairs and wondered, what is the use of having a bar across stairs? You can't see all of it, but the entire structure is a stairway of a few steps leading to a door. And at the bottom of these stairs, there are two bars preventing access. So often we are barred from different paths in our lives. Step over the obstacles once in a while, and open that door at the end. Who knows, maybe you'll find something miraculous.
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Photo taken in Georgetown University on October 29, 2007.
There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. - Albert Einstein
Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies. - Shawshank Redemption
Stunner from Kingston, Jamaica
Lovely shot and focusing! Nice textures and perspective.
6 Dec 2007 5:41am
Illuci from Hurdegaryp, Netherlands
Again some wise words, but the picture raises curiosity about the bars: maybe the stairs are an essential part of the house, and the owner doesn't use the door (and the stairs) anymore but he cannot get a permit from the authorities to remove the stairs or (s)he him/herself finds it a weird view, a door one meter above the pavement without stairs, so the stairs remain. I only figure out something :). Nice stairs BTW, I wouldn't put plants on them, to prevent rust.
6 Dec 2007 7:49am
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
Ok let me try again, it didn't stay...I was saying, it's very attractive to the eyes, maybe the stairs give access to a basement...never know!! I like your commentary about opening doors ;)
6 Dec 2007 10:36am
Rabbit from Richmond, United States
I think what is really odd - is the bar looks permanent. This must be a historic structure now and they are trying to preserve it, is my guess.
6 Dec 2007 1:26pm
alla from Toronto, Canada
so you can't go up the stairs? Strange. Try sneaking in! take pictures :)
6 Dec 2007 2:08pm
Amir from ?, Iran
That is a very meaningful shot, once this was a pathway and later on someone decided to prevent access. Life is full of obstacles
6 Dec 2007 6:31pm
standley from brou-sur-chantereine, France
Very nice shot. I like the texture and the perspective
6 Dec 2007 6:48pm
amy from Rocky Mountain House, Canada
Great pov here e.!! I'm stumped as to what it could be for... but I tend to agree with Rabbit.
6 Dec 2007 6:59pm
Rebecca from Leicester, United Kingdom
Superb image, and fascinating narrative. Am a big fan of exploring, digging deeper and opening doors myself. ;) As some friends above have observed too though, bars are sometimes necessary in life for reasons we may or may not be aware of (I agree Rabbit’s guess is definitely a possibility). If it’s an unnecessary bar, by all means, vault over it if you’re so inclined. :) But if it’s a necessary one, well, let’s not go there. Not all rules are made to be broken. ;)
6 Dec 2007 8:16pm
ManuelaR from Hainburg, Germany
Now I am really curious... why?
Great capture and find.
6 Dec 2007 8:31pm
Canon PowerShot G5
1/50 second
F/2.2
8 mm