Inspired by a black 

and white photograph

from the Museum of 

Photography in Paris

 

The Father

is missing.

 

He probably never

liked to have his picture taken

(or maybe he’s hiding

behind the camera)

 

The Mother 

is also missing

 

She probably got tired

of posing without her husband

(or maybe she’s in the kitchen

or in front of a mirror)

 

The children

are also missing

 

The son could be in the army

or lives with his in-laws,

the daughter could be

living somewhere overseas

 

The grandfather

is also missing

 

(He has, probably, long ago

departed from this world)

 

Perhaps

that’s why the grandmother

holds                      the old

family               portrait   

just like           mothers

hold their      baby

or kids     hold

their doll