R is for Roses - A tribute

R is for Roses, in particular this Desert Rose...

I dream of rain

I dream of gardens in the desert sand

I wake in pain

I dream of love as time runs through my hand

Sweet desert rose

Each of her veils, a secret promise

This desert flower

No sweet perfume ever tortured me more than this

Sweet desert rose

This memory of Eden haunts us all

This desert flower

This rare perfume, is the sweet intoxication of the fall

- Sting (Desert Rose )

This post is a tribute of sorts, to the incredible breed of reporters and photo journalists who really do live life on the edge.  Eat. Sleep. Breath. Foreign assignments abroad, travelling under harsh conditions, war torn regions of our globe that many of us will never see, if it weren't for these incredibly talented souls.  Yesterday, Oscar-nominated film maker and British photographer Tim Hetherington, and American war photographer Chris Hondros were killed in Libya whilst covering the current conflict there. Both were award winning photographers in their field, both were great humanitarians through their work.

I used to romantise the life of a photojournalist, working for news agencies in far flung locations, I used to imagine the adrenalin rush of being caught in the middle of it all.  Not anymore, I've grown wiser with the years, so I like to think.  It's a tough life, only a certain breed of gladiators keep on keeping on.  RIP to all film makers and photojournalists who pay the ultimate price in their mission of bringing the truth to the rest of the world.  R is for Roses, R is for RIP.  R is for Remembrance. 

Quote via elyrics