Picture warts and all

The picture on the parlor wall captures A frozen memento of lives lived long ago. With all its creatures, scenes and features, Arrayed like animals, in a parade on show. Dicky bird smiles enticed with cheese, A mother’s grin, a father’s stern gaze, Children rebellious, shuffling with unease, Eyes fixed and staring, to stop the blink strays. Within its frame, the past forever stays, An image contrived to hide the blots and blights Of fall-outs, feuds and fights of bygone days. All briefly subdued in soft forgiving lights. Oh, I wish the picture hung on parlor wall, Captured in truth what was, with warts and all!