TWO PHOTOGRAPHS WITH MY UNCLE (2)

1976

That same arm's around me
but Adolph's grown a beard
and looks better in his sport shirt
than he did in that suit.

His hair's longer, mine's shorter.
The whole photo's simply more natural.

My body presses against his
without expecting him to coax
or pull.

I've even taken my glasses off
because I'm no longer afraid
to let the camera see,
and if my naked eyes would search
well, my smile can hide that.

All this is for Uncle Adolph, with love,
from me to him, person to person.

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Copyright © 1997 by Rochelle Ratner.

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