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August 25, 2007
Long Distance Family
A photo taken in your absence so far away
On a flat rooftop overlooking planted fields
Soft green mountains in the hazy distance
With white buildings climbing up halfway
A tree line abruptly stops
Only allowing a scattered few to escape
All a small part of where you are from
Four figures stand facing the illusive camera
One in adolescence and leaning slightly away
His hand blurred from a quick movement
As his large feet seem to shift to one side
Saying that he is older now, more independent
Two others are much smaller and holding hands
A young boy, his right hand pushed into his pocket
His black pants much longer than he needs
Even though he will fulfill their length soon enough
A hint of his father’s face in his eyes
He looks forward with the edge of innocence
At first she looks to be a much smaller girl
And yet another glance reveals a plastic doll
Seeming so out of place, so surreal
With the vacant stare and the eerie smile of a soulless body
Blond wavy hair and unflawed white skin with stiff fingers extended
She stands mysteriously between them
As if she is loved and will soon begin to walk
Her attire is nearly the mirror image of the mother
Who holds her left hand so dearly
She is your wife, the mother of your distant children
The one you have not seen for all those lonely years
Since you first left for the promise of real money
Traveling through all the dangers and elements
Over many miles of haunting worry and wonder
To finally wash all those dirty dishes in a relentless hot kitchen
That resides in some restaurant in a world you never knew existed
Her deep soft eyes are dark as the night
And her skin glows in smooth shades of red - browns
In the picture she wares her native clothing
Symbols and traditions woven into vibrant colors
By hands of loving intent and gracious ancestry
A message she sends to the one who will understand
In your heart her image is wrapped in roses
The sweet smell of closeness, almost forgotten
As she looks into the camera lens in your direction
You carry the image in your memory and your worn wallet
That briefly contains the hard earned money
That finds it’s way back to her and your long distance family
Posted by kay at August 25, 2007 03:26 PM