THEY DON’T WAIT

they don’t wait

june 21, 2025

i almost didn’t take it.  
i wasn’t about to photograph a banner  
for another show.  
we weren’t going anywhere in particular.  
our everyday walk,  
as we passed another light pole.  
but this one was different.  

he saw it.  
the billboard, twice his size.  
the blue. it was too bright to trust  
the giant smiling faces. perfected in post.  

even the trees looked like extras.  
he looked.  
and couldn’t look away.  

so i looked too.  

the sky was blue too. a little more trustful.  
the banner said conversation,  
but everything about it felt rehearsed.  
it all made me feel uncomfortable.  

like we had stepped onto a set  
without realizing it.  
and neither of us had read the script.  

but still,  
there we were.  
him the leading actor.  
me playing a supporting role.  
both of us characters in something  
we never auditioned for.  

he’s not even one.  
he’s not even the intended audience.  
but they got him.  
already.  

i held him,  
watching him watch it.  
i held the camera,  
focused and then focused.  
and all i could think was:  

they don’t wait  
to start selling wonder.  
not just to us.  
to them.