The Secret Passion

There was a side of him
Few had ever seen.
Even his best friends
Really didn’t know
What he had been doing.
It was not that he
Consciously hid
What he was up to,
But he never trumpeted
His passion in life.
He dedicated himself
To documenting
Life in the rural communities
Of the Central Valley.
He quietly amassed
A collection of thousands
Of priceless photographs,
Depicting every aspect
Of country life.
His work was superb,
Black and white images
Of the finest quality.
He had captured
The spirit of the land
And the people
With unbridled affection.
He had been at it
For at least forty years,
Yet it was not until
He passed away
That the collection
Was discovered.