Long, Long Ago

I find the one remaining photograph from my wedding:
everyone is still smiling, despite the way things turned out
(time can fade print, but the smiles remain fixed forever).
Somehow, that one picture survived;
the others had fallen victim to Mum's scissors,
      long, long ago.

My dad is wearing his blazer and one of my ties;
he's looking healthy (just as I remember before the cancer...)
      long, long ago.
My mum in a new suit, is much younger-looking, and well.
I wish I could step into the happy picture, 
and keep my parents as they were then.

My wife and I are wearing our shining new rings -
      long, long ago
they were sold and melted down for other newly-weds to wear.
I remember the deep love I felt for my wife then.
Mum asks what I'm looking at and she tears out part of the picture...
my ex wife is still smiling from the waste paper basket...

Date written 24th September 
Writing Challenge 2, September 2019 - The Photograph 
Sponsor, Wiishkobi Ode

Copyright © | Year Posted 2019



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Date: 10/13/2019 3:32:00 AM
I'm sorry things did not work out, one of our sons got divorce and I did the same as your mom! I like your last two lines of the poem LOL. Hugs, Jennifer.
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Date: 10/3/2019 5:32:00 PM
Jack congratulations on your win in my challenge with this excellent and emotional write!
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Date: 9/25/2019 6:33:00 PM
OMG, BEST poem I have seen in this contest. FAVE
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Date: 9/25/2019 5:07:00 AM
Both your serious and humorous sides stand out in this expressive poem, Jack. Your take on the 'photograph' theme is excellent. Regards // paul
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Date: 9/24/2019 7:39:00 PM
if only to jump in the pictures and hug them again would be nice...love the nostalgia in this one, the way you told the story was wonderfully penned, the ending stellar :) hugs
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Date: 9/24/2019 4:02:00 PM
Jack, this is a tender, heartfelt write that touches my heart. In this case Mum was doing you a favor by getting rid of Sue's photos. My father's birthday would have been last Saturday, so I've been thinking how nice it would be to have my parents back too. Your delicate wording is amazing. A fave for me! Love, Carolyn
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Date: 9/24/2019 1:01:00 PM
Sad one. You are dealing with the situation very well. Sara
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Devonshire Avatar
Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 9/24/2019 4:03:00 PM
Yes, he really is! Mum is so lucky to have Jack.
Date: 9/24/2019 12:07:00 PM
You have a wonderful way with words jack and although the relationship is over your wit still shines through. I just love the ending of the poem with your ex smiling from the waste paper basket after your mum got to the scissors to her! Mum destroyed my sister's baby picture and recently asked me to remove all pics of dad ... neither of us have mourned his passing. The baby picture of my sister was ripped up about 3 yrs ago and the frame smashed:-( families eh!:-( hugs jan xx
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