Daddy needs a new pair of shoes!

That shoeless kid, there, wearing what looks like papa's hat, wears shoes all the time. They're too small for him, by at least a size. Witness the toes: habitual curling-in, toenails bunched up at the nailbed, callused DIPs and PIPs, and the looks-nice-from-here-but-probably-hurts arched big toenail.

Meanwhile: does the kid with the cap also have a wad of something stuck back against his gums? I didn't see the seeds, either, and was thinking he's stepped in tobacco-spit. Watermelon = much better.

Whatever the circumstance, this image is endlessly evocative. Yowza.

Looks like wooden match scratches on the wall next to the boys. Some smokers were tall and some shorter -- and mostly right-handed!

I expect that the bottle contains shoeshine. Note the shine box on the step. Wonder how many customers noticed that the shoeshine boy was barefoot or in worn-through soles?

Seeing the kit next to the barefoot boy made me wonder if he is the owner due to the irony of shining others' shoes when you have none of your own. That brought to mind the bible quote regarding "the cobbler's children have no shoes." A friend of mine whose dad owned a small grocery store said he grew up eating only the day old (or older) groceries that could no longer be sold while the freshest mdse. was up for sale. I have an air conditioner repair man who does not have a/c in his own home. These are streetwise kids if they can figure out how to play craps at such a young age. I still cannot figure it out and I've passed my "threescore and ten."

Once at a party an inebriated friend was making fun of my ethnic group and said that we painted onto our bare feet white socks and black shoes. The observant spectator in the doorway is provocative. This photo would make a wonderful painting. It brought to mind this entire myriad of emotions and more. Sorry to be so verbose. Have a nice Sunday.

Watermelon! I see it now. Thanks.

Looks like the barefoot roller was captured during the all important finger snap after the roll (To ensure they come up a winner). The game is probably Cee-Lo. And you're right, Mr. Watermelon should have slept in that day.

It makes me wonder who was murdered before the picture was taken!

[Mr. Watermelon, with a knife. - Dave]

No shoes on one and worn through shoes on the other. I wonder what is in the bottle in his back pocket. Perhaps a little young to indulge.