The Photograph

 

I’d like to take your picture,

he said, meaning no harm

to her, not wanting anything

more. It will only take a minute,

of your time, he promised,

and it won’t hurt at all.

Dubious of his motives,

she hesitated and asked him,

why?

I take pictures of people,

he told her, and you are very

photogenic.

Yea, right, she thought to

herself, but was somewhat

flattered anyway. Of course,

she had the right to say yea

or nay. Sure, why not, go

ahead, she said.

So many faces, he thought

to himself, genially smiling.

Oh, the possibilities.

She had the look.

Who knows, she may

even become the next

modern day Mona Lisa.

Just a little grin

will be fine, he told

her, not a great big

smile.

She struck

the perfect pose,

and he said, there,

hold it. And snap,

it was over in a flash.

Years later, he held

his photo of her

in his hand.

She never did achieve

Mona Lisa status,

never even made

the local 6 o’clock news.

So many faces,

he thought to himself.

Still, she had the look.

          -30-

Chris Hanch 7-2-2021