The Old Family Photos

Large framed pictures
Of ancestors in a stately, grim pose
Hung on Mama's flowered, papered walls.
As a child, I'd ask, "Who are those?"

Mama told me, "These
Are POLSTONs--Granny and Grandpap!"
I'd look at the photos and wonder
As I lay on a pallet ready for an afternoon nap.

I'd ask over and over.
"Who are these? I want to know!"
Mama would say, "They are
Your kin from long, long ago."

I'd continue to question
As I felt some fear!
"Why didn't they smile
If they were so dear?"

Mama would say in olden days
People would pose without a smile
When they had their pictures made.
This was hard to understand as a child!

Then, I'd ask about their funny clothes.
A ruffled collar Grandpap wore.
I wondered why he wore such
As men didn't wear ruffles any more.

The photos had some bad spots
As silver-fish had had a feast.
Mama continued to keep the photos
On the wall--it didn't matter the least.

The photos were distributed
To descendants after mama died;
But, on no one's wall
These photos have I espied

Author Edith Bastin
© Copyright: November 25, 1998. All Rights Reserved.

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