POEM
The Album
~
in every picture
on each page
the woman smiled
surrounded by pots of flowers.
~
no reason to hide
her face turning
like a mirror reflection.
~
but that day
when i pushed the button
fingers sticky with
strawberry juices
the flash caught
all the fine lines
of time passed
her old hands carrying a basket
her hairstreaming out
of the scarf.
her lips licking
the sweetly scented juice
of a moment.
a farm lady,
wise storyteller
brave mother, and sister, and aunt.
~
no need to say
it’s my favorite picture
of her. that day, with the
basket heavy of ripe fruits
smiling,
time turned back half a century
in front of my eyes
the way now
time turns back
a half a century
in hers.
~~
By me
