THE PHOTOGRAPH

This Christmas Ali and her family gave Deborah and I a gift we thought was splendid

A framed photograph of Deborah and I at a recent wedding we attended.

I love it and I put it next to my computer where I write these rhymes each day

Now let me tell you of a minor problem that occurred along the way.

A mirror image is fleeting, I mean I don’t have to comb my hair anymore

So I shower, shave, brush my teeth then I’m headed out the door.

I have no time to linger as I’m otherwise engaged

Consequently I have no time to see how much I’ve aged.

But a photograph is permanent which means everyday I see

The old man I’ve become...he’s staring back at me.

I can look in the mirror and tell myself I’m still that same young guy

But everyone knows, and it’s plain to see, a photograph doesn’t lie.

When I look daily at myself and see that once young baby boomer

I think the proof is right in front of me that God has a sense of humor.

Why else would he let our ears keep growing, I’m surprised people don’t stare

Because mine are as big as a garage...you can park a small car in there.

And to keep our big ears company, look it up you’ll see it’s true,

He decided that our noses should keep on growing too.

And of course there’s the hair thing, for this fact I must concede

My nose and ears look even bigger the more my hair recedes.

(FYI, here’s a semantic difference for which Deborah is appalled

I say my hair’s receding....she says that I am bald.)

I’m starting to be covered in spots that I can only describe as inky

And there are so many wrinkles in my neck I look just like a slinky.

Yes, everyday I’m reminded I’m not the young man I used to be

But the more I look at that photograph...that’s OK with me.

Because next to me in the photograph, Deborah is standing there

And I’m reminded of all the moments in life we’ve been lucky enough to share.

Since this photo was a gift from Ali, thanks to her I’ll always be

Reminded of a daughter’s love and the wonder of family.

I briefly thought of moving that photo, or laying it out flat

But the more I look at it the more I think...it’s fine just where it’s at.

Because within the frames of that photograph, you know what most appeals to me?

It’s not the things that are apparent but the things I cannot see.