I examine the picture with horror,
A photograph of one I loved,
A photograph marking a place and memories
With others, all having little to do with me.
Yet, because of the intimacy we achieved
It has everything to do with me.
The more we try and make sense of sex
The more it seems absurd.
My eye caught fire from her body and face.
Only poetry saves. Please, just a word
Of kindness for her before I die in disgrace.
She is not smiling in the photograph,
Nor does the picture capture the beauty
She had all those times when she was kissing me.
She and I hate being photographed, not because we are ugly—
No, she’s an exquisite beauty, but smiling naturally isn’t easy;
She’s sad, even miserable, and when she laughs, she laughs bitterly.
Almost religiously, I hate images, but the cruel smile
Of Cover Girl femme fatale is what my poetry uses.
When I ask her to smile for my poem, of course she refuses.
