The Old and New
Maverick Free verse
My grandmother’s velvet covered album
was not coveted by any of my siblings.
I pretended not to care so as not spark their interest,
but I was happy when it was scorned by others.
It is now in my possession and proudly
shown on my coffee table. Unlabeled
photos from the 1800’s fill it.
I can only guess who might be whom.
I try to find resemblances to my siblings, or myself
and make up stories to fit the characters.
The real stories of their lives are lost to the past.
How sad that they did not have the cameras and
videos of the modern age, to record they’re stories.
My pictures are memories tucked into a silver frame
or in between some pages glued as part of the past.
My daddy sitting proud and tall, Mama’s hand upon his arm
Driving his young and lively team.
I wrote their names on the back for posterity.
Here is one of their first cars, just see my mama’s smile.
As I’ve heard tell it was the one that broke down every mile
As the many babies came along, they added them one by one
into the family portrait, seven kids all told.
Through marriages and grand-kids, everyone is shown with pride.
Now with my labeled names and other bits of information they will
be real to the following generations.
That Kodak recorded lifetimes, before it up and died.
They’d be surprised if they could see the pictures of today.
We take them now with digital and email them away to all..
I’ve gathered old and new alike, to place upon my screen.
In color or in black and white, my family’s story
shall be saved for all who care..
For John's Maverick Free contest won no. 4 place
Copyright © Joyce Johnson | Year Posted 2011
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