Photograph

I see it everyday, smiling at me

 

Photograph

 

 

Before me I find

a photograph,  a rectangle piece of memory

of a time before     

 

or

 

of the day before,

merely a moment in time, forgotten

perhaps

 

 ~

 

Staring at me openly,

a glossy reminder, fashioned of indifference,

asking nothing     

 

yet

 

questioning my every thought,

or so it seems

to me

 

 ~

 

Smiling,

as if she knows me, beckoning

with soft eyes, pleading eyes

 

upon

 

my needful gaze,

focused

and dreaming…always dreaming

 

~ 

 

She doesn’t speak,

still I hear her every word,

silently whispering,

 

softly

 

singing sweetly

to my soul

which somehow understands  

 

~

 

Beauty in black and white

drenched of full color

in my mind

 

and

 

my heart, which beats faster,

pounding in my chest,

longing to escape…to be with her

 

~

 

If only I could step inside,

become one with the film

altering what I see

 

only

 

to touch her, know that she is real,

feel her breath upon my face,

know her scent

 

~

 

Before me I find

a photograph,  a square piece of memory

of a time before     

 

or

 

of future fantasies,

about to unfold on the pages

of the album holding my destiny

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

Thank you for reading

Reviews

[Baby Ricochet]

Photos can be great and they can kill you. Good poem Jack

[Jack...]

Note to self: Watch out for those murderous photos...thanks so much my friend. :)>

[redflutterby]

I love old photographs. That moment frozen for all time always makes you wonder. What was the subject thinking or feeling at the time? What was their life like...where were they going? So many questions especially when the person is no longer with us. I have a picture of my grandparents at the enlisted mans club at Quantico so many years ago. Seeing them as they were so young and in love, its a precious picture to me!! Lovely poem Jack!

[Jack...]

Red, as your comments are a precious picture to me. Thank you so very much.

[Rita L. Sev]

The format works well with this piece - the short stanzas, separated purposefully, makes the reader pause to take in the story you are telling. I love old black and white photos, and often imagine stories for them. You have imagined a wonderful one here, Jack!

[Jack...]

Thanks so much Rita for your always sweet words.

[Kristin Lee]

This is lovely. I am a huge picture person. I can't remember my mother, so I look at her in photographs. Even reading your words I was able to picture pictures of her in my mind. Very well written.

[Jack...]

Thanks so much Kristin. I am pleased it pleased you. You are always too kind to me.

[icelandicblue]

The actual photograph- that tangible piece of photographic paper-is becoming a rare commodity. We have stepped into the digital age. This piece speaks to me of a photograph held close and the wish to breath life into that moment once again. This is such a poignant and touching piece.

[Jack...]

Thanks so much Blue. I value your comments and always look forward to hearing from you.

[LadySoDivine]

This is such a wonderful and strong piece. It reminds me of times when I look at my grandparents' old black and white photos. It gives such a feeling of nostalgia and melancholy. I love the element of the lost love in your poem. The distance we would go just to have that special person in our arms one more time. Really a beautiful poem, Jack, well done! :)

[Jack...]

Thank you so much my sweet poetic friend. Your kind words make me smile.

[Angel]

A very clever bit of writing, my friend...very well done, indeed!
I love the way you use a single syllable to go from stanza to stanza.
And each stanza is a precice Haiku...very nice.
A beautiful word photograph of a photograph...I love it!
Thank you for sharing!

[Jack...]

Thank you so very much Angel. I appreciate your kind words.

[Quill~]

A photograph is more than a beautiful view or a picture to behold momentarily, it is a timeless piece of life held in the heart. Your senses come alive again just by remembering that certain memory through black and white, it can bring color back to a precious part of your life. You have written a touching piece, Jack. :)

[Jack...]

Thank you so much my friend. Happy you stopped by and thrilled you enjoyed it.

[Quill~]

:) wonderful work.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

"stepping inside to become one with the film"

love that concept...as usual, you write love and longing so well...and our imaginations can really play when we look at a photograph and touch its surface and its edges, because somehow it has touched us.

[Jack...]

Thanks you so mcuh Jacob for for always kind words.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your poetry, Jack!