Tuesday, February 28, 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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