i really, really like this wilco.
im new to photography and i am still learning the basics but this is the sort of photography i envisage i will lean towards. i believe photographs should make the viewer 'feel' the atmosphere of the subjects and tell a story and i think you have done this perfectly. in my opinion the harsh borders make me feel a sense of sharpness and uneasyness that action is never far away (almost a platoon feel). i know that isnt the 'ready and waiting' that you are talking about but thats ok, at least you made the viewer think about the scene. cool!