Three Photographs Of This Boy

Photo One

This boy is small enough

to photograph and

hold in the palm of her hand.

See how she's composed

this boy? That much air

above his hair for him 

to grow.

That corner's blurred,

it's not her finger. I'd say

the wind has caught

her hair.

Her friends said when she

photographed him she

lowered her hair to steady her hands

and sang,

Amazing Grace. Amazing Grace.

Photo Two

This boy has grown hard

up against the frame. She tips the

camera, he fills her diamond, 'Smile

on three';

He cups a plastic trophy

like a bird against his

body, ‘Turn it this

way please.'

This shot is blurred,

concussed with excitement.

Is this boy trembling? Or is

It her?

Her friends said when she

Photographed him she

Bit her lip to steady her hands

And sang,

Amazing Grace. Amazing Grace.

Photo Three

You can't see him here

boxed between that many

legs, but he's definitely

in there.

You can see her though,

her hair knotted tightly

her cries lightly biting

the air.

Heads bowed, her knees crumb-

ling, him sinking. She holds a photo,

him squinting. The sun

the son.

Her friends said when she

left him there she scattered

photographs to steady her hands

and sang,

Amazing Grace. Amazing Grace.