Relative Poem

young faces of relatives

hang on our walls

and black iron shelves

as reminders

that if we are lucky,

or unlucky enough,

we will lose our youth

and have

the photos of our fancy to relive

the days when our organs liked each other.

all of the dashing glances,

vigorous smiles,

new hair,

non-sagging parts,

clean skin,

crisp clothes,

dapper smiles

have all given way to the future

and the

fact that our bodies

don't like

what happens

next and the past doesn't like us

in the present.

i believe

in

the might of the picture

to immortalize

us in ways that will help

our eroding brain remember

that the only thing mightier that the past,

present

or future

is the love we create

and cultvate on this

ever advancing existence

that blares forward

with all the voracity of time

as we once

used to remember.