Photos

They stand before me in uniform columns

A mixture of snapshots and Polaroids

As testimony to the time of us

Each is a witness to a moment that was

When I clicked you into permanence

And sanctified an instant never to be denied

There is the shaded image of you asleep

Your hand resting easily on the pillow

And I remember wondering where you had gone

In the passage through your dreaming

 

You are there with funny face and clownish pose

Sitting pensive and aloof beside the River Po

Lifting a toast, as if to us and all tomorrows

Somber and dejected on the day the canary died

You are there, made as forever as a statue

Immortal upon flexible plastic

And indelible upon my memories, you are there

Each photo a recollection, like ashes of reality

Engraved upon my soul in kisses and promises

You are there because I am your inheritance to you

Reviews

[Ees]

Wonderful work!
I love photographs. I love other people's snapshots the best. They existed. You can see expressions and you can see how they really wore their hair. I love this poem. I imagine photo albums spread across a desk with different ages present within them as you wrote this. It doesn't matter if that's really how this poem came into existence, it matters, though that I can feel and see it that vividly.
Great job, I enjoyed reading this.

[DrD]

Thank you, Ees and yes, the scene you envisioned was how it was done. I appreciate your visit and hope you will return soon.

[Ees]

No problem.
Of course I will be back, I did enjoy this.

[Jon Roggie]

Photographs have gotten me through some rough times. The memories invoked can bring that pleasant glow, or remind of promises given. Coming across those that had been forgotten can be amazing. Very enjoyable. Thank you for the poem!

[DrD]

Thank you, Jon

[Mary]

Honestly, I think you have written a brilliant, loving poem here. The ordinary moments of life, silliness and sorrow captured first by film and now in these verses. "Immortal upon flexible plastic" A new favorite. 100/100

[DrD]

You are most kind, Mary. Thanks for visiting me.

[Sid]

Amazing work Dr. This speaks volumes as we all treasure the memories photographs bring us. Each one is associated with a loving memory which we wish to embed not only on paper but also in our memories...Amazing!

[DrD]

Your visit and kind words are truly appreciated

[jacob erin-cilberto]

"when i clicked you into permanence"

great line...as if you could never prove your existence without the photographs as evidence...but yes, they are evidence that we lived...the snapshots describe our different looks, personalities, moods...

almost like the last line is the photo talking to the one whose pictures have been taken...and this inheritance is what you will give to others...

i have an album of old pictures, really old..my 90 year old parents...photographs of their relatives...mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles and grandparents...some even they don't remember enough to name.

black and whites, classics.

all a treasure.

as is this poem

jacob

[william keepers]

What a multitude of images and not just the photos you describe, but rather the deep and powerful emotions underneath them and why. I do not pretend to know the "why" for that is too subjective, but none the less, very cherished recollections and faded meloncholy so naturally entwined as to become indistinguishable.
Outstanding!

[DrD]

Thank you, William and please visit again soon. Your comments are a keeper . . . . pun intended.

[J. J. Nightingale]

I take out the old photo albums , and look at them over and over ..
Sometimes they tell a story .. sometimes they remind of what I have forgot
I stopped taking pics lately .. didn't take any on my little vacation
It doesn't seem the thing to do now ..

I like the way you remember .. all the colors of a life ...

Jasmine ..xx

[DrD]

I remember once she said, "Why take pictures, we can always remind each other." When there's no one to remind, photos come to the rescue. Thanks, J. XO

[J. J. Nightingale]

So true .. xx

[Tarry Franck]

Enjoyed reading this - thank you for sharing. Great piece of work

[DrD]

Thank you, Tarry.

[Tarry Franck]

You're quite welcomed

[Jo March]

Your words are so soft and smooth and flow, mellifluously. Your similes are epic and your vocabulary makes me jealous.

Always nice to see your work

[DrD]

Thanks for your visit, Jo