Monday, December 3, 2012

"For the Camera"




















The old photos reveal nothing   
         show no hint of the abuses   
                     that darken your future   
         Gape-tooth smiles, youthful   
                     mugging for the camera   
                                 don’t predict   
                                             anorexia   
                                             drugs    
                                             despair   

         The childish arms that hugged   
                     friend and family   
                                 Now   
                     hang skeletal   
                                 by your sides   
         While your sunken eyes   
                     and forced and frozen smiles   
                                             lie   
                                             lie   
                                             lie    
                                                         for the camera    

         Pretending your world glows   
         Making believe he’ll finally   
                                             notice you   
                                             love you   
                     fit you into his small and selfish life   


Copyright 2011 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman


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