Say Cheese

Photographs never lie

 

Say cheese

 

 

I don’t recognize my footprints anymore,

flash bulbs and dusty breaths

distort my sight and laugh

I barely recognize my name

as if anyone might call

on the gusts of barren life that hit me full force

 

Lost in a silent thought 

bouncing from shutter to shutter

blistering paint and chipping sorrows

outside the windows, smeared of tears

resting on cheddar sills

reflecting unknown images, as I stare

 

Photographic headlines swing on wire fences

twisted around dreams and laced with unforgiving pain

rusting in the rain, falling piece by tiny piece

until words read like fragmented sentences

in amber speckles on the walk, 

asking me to believe

 

A three legged cat begs for a mouse,

yet the only thing held in this trap is me

folding another fitted sheet (I hate folding fitted sheets)

as Tripod claws at my leathered skin

trying to erase the scars, captured in the lens

which mocks me…say cheese

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

Thank you for reading

Reviews

[prachi prangya agasti]

emotional and nicely framed... nice poem...

[Jack...]

Thank you so much Prachi.

[DCT ponderings]

Yet another thought provoking piece fraught with a feeling of isolation. In these writes I can help but think of my grandmother and her fight with Alzheimer's as it slowly erased her to where not even an old photo made her recognizable to herself. Well penned.

[Jack...]

Thank you so much my friend

[Mehak Mushtaq]

This one is quite emotional and dark and poignant. "A three legged cat begs for a mouse," How unfortunate and hopeless. Very, very emotional. I love it, Jack. :)

[Jack...]

Thank you so much Mehak, so very nice to see you again.

[Mehak Mushtaq]

Anytime Jack. :)

[shallimarRose]

Another gem... Some of the poetry I read from you I have written very similar thoughts... I do not quite have your flair though I am afraid.. your "three legged cat begs for a mouse" My two legged tripod begs for some balance.. I always love reading you.. xo shallimar

[Jack...]

Thank you so much Rose. You underestimate yourself, you are very good.

[Brett Pritchard]

Dark. Very very dark.
Capturing again something you seem to invoke very well Jack; isolation.
And also the disenfranchisement of one's very self and identity this can cause, washed away in the sea of mundane pursuits and tedious tasks. I loved the folding fitted sheets bit.

Yet another lovely and thought provoking piece Jack.

BP

[Jack...]

I appreciate it Brett

[Astro]

Indeed I stare into this lens and find it harder to smile than it ought to be. Always an interesting 'perspective' to inhabit when I read your work Jack. Always an interesting 'perspective'.

[Jack...]

Thanks so much Astro

[InsanityWriter]

Wow! I love the imagery and the whole feel of the entire poem... Excellent piece, as always. ^_^

[Jack...]

Thank you so much my friend

[Seth Durham]

This brought to mind a specific photograph. It's a perfectly fine picture. I'm standing next to my wife, my arm around her and a big smile on my face. Yet it was taken at a moment when I was anything but happy. I was going through a difficult time, and while others may look at the photograph and see happiness, I recall the sadness that hides behind the smile... say cheese indeed.

[Jack...]

Thanks Seth.

[rhythm&blues]

This is not what I'm accustomed to reading from you. Very deep and dark this time, always an excellent read.

[Jack...]

Thank you so much my friend. I appreciate your kind comments.

[TL Boehm]

The ache in this poem is tangible. Windswept, cutting - it permeates the skin and perhaps because it is colored with the lens of "Finite" it is even more startling.
It is possible that this is the last thing I may read from you due to your departure from the room. And it makes me wonder what my last words might be - as writers our words are our souls. What scattered pictures do we leave behind. Is this the how we exit? I wonder.
When I departed the room a few years back - RR's didn't remain. The cafe has changed so any remnants can still be read after an account is closed. Give us one more chance in case a writer doesn't come back.
Its ok if a writer choses. I'v also read work from poets who have passed....that's harder.
Peace. This was one of your best I think

[Jack...]

Tammy. always your msile makes me smile.