Old Picture of You
I found a picture of you
From years ago
Sitting in my desk in a drawer.
I looked into the photo’s eyes
So young and innocent
So eager and bright.
Those eyes carried no burden
From paying monthly bills
When the money ran out.
Those eyes showed no pain
From burying your father last spring.
But those eyes also carried no excitement
And anxiety of caring
For our young children,
The burden of bandaging their knees,
Holding them when they cried,
And the pride of teaching
Them to read.
Your eyes in the photo
Were neither filled
With the joy
Of holding our newborn
Granddaughter.
Another little person to love,
Another reason to serve our son
And daughter-in-law.
Your real eyes shine with
Radiance, a completeness
Only formed from years
Of overcoming the ups and downs of life.
Experience and shared wisdom
Look great in your eyes.
First published in Big Question Literary Arts Magazine, 2026, all rights reserved
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