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

[icelandicblue]

Sometimes our images and memories become cirque de soleil like. That's what this felt like to me. Have you ever had a memory and wondered "Did that really happen?" Nice poem Jack.

[Jack...]

Many times my good friend. Thank you so much

[Doug]

Very nice poem. I love how you ended it with "say cheese." I'm not sure why I love it so much, but it just, adds something. Haha, maybe you'll understand what I mean, anyway, great work as usual.

[Jack...]

Thanks so much Doug. I appreciate your kind words.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Often times our flashbacks distort reality cause the minds perceptions changes with every new experience.

[Jack...]

Thank you so much sir.

[SyberRose]

Photos of the mind do haunt us...especially when you have a photographic memory as I do...Thats why girls are better spellers then boys...we tend to carry those permanent photos...as I read...nicely done..Rose

[Jack...]

So that is the reason I am so terrible at spelling...I knew there was something I was missing. Thank you so much Rose, nice to see you this morning.

[Angel]

I hate folding fitted sheets, myself. I never can get them neat.
First Rita with her mirror, and now you with your camera...
Okay, okay, I'm getting old!! But I'm still damn cute for my age!!!

Fascinating write, my friend.
Did someone say cheese??

[Jack...]

Your smile my friend I'm sure makes the camera smile as well. Thank you Angel, you are a good friend.

[ShelleyA]

Good title for the theme of your poem Jack. A very good write, heartfelt and introspective. Skillfully crafted free verse which I enjoy. Clever word play. Imagery is good as are the descriptives. You paint a vivid picture of ordinary things that seem extraordinary to the reader. Flow is good; line to line transition and breaks are well done. Very nice rhythm. Good depth of feeling. You express your thoughts about being photographed in a unique and creative way. I especially like:

"outside the windows, smeared of tears
resting on cheddar sills
reflecting unknown images, as I stare"

I can relate. Excellent closing lines. Well penned. Write on!

[Jack...]

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

[ShelleyA]

You're welcome and my pleasure.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ok I get this one Jack! You are Camera shy!
Nice write as always. Descriptive in flowing eloquent verse.

[Jack...]

Thanks so much John. Not so much camera shy, but not camera material.

[Sami Khalil]

"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"
You have captured love and beauty even in an old camera which is a classic like this one...:)

[Jack...]

Thanks so much Sami.

[Sami Khalil]

My pleasure ...:)

[Frieda P]

Wow Jack even in it's disenchanted state, this poem is charming....though the voice in this write may seem discombobulated and disjointed with life, there's the quirky hopeful side, with three legged cats and folded fitted sheets...you can still smile, say cheese please.

[Jack...]

Thanks so much my friend. Your words are always music to my ears. Oh, Tripod said to tell you, meow.

[Rita L. Sev]

Unique imagery, Jack. Losing dimensions and feeling out of focus with the rest of the world. I get the feeling that there was love and beauty here one, in this now dusty and deserted room. I love the cat, his name, his role... A fascinating write.

[Jack...]

Thanks so much Rita, I was quite out of sorts yesterday...not myself. So thank you very much.