The lady in the photograph

 
What can you tell by a photograph
What can you tell about the subject
Form their expression and features
Some would think not much
But you add in their poetry
You can see their heart and soul
All of a sudden the photograph speaks
It becomes almost alive
If you take the time to look
If you take the time to listen
If you take the time to sense

The lady in the photograph
Like her poetry has natural beauty
Has a face made for smiling
Yet strangely there is no smile
The eyes do not sparkle as they should
The insensitive would think she’s fine
A good person, a good heart
A good poet, a good friend
And that goes no further
But if approached with eyes wide open
You see something else
You see pain and sadness
You see somebody who
Is far better than they realise
Far stronger than one would imagine
She doesn’t know how good she is
As a person and a poet
Having a wayward father doesn’t help
Being stuck in life’s drudgery doesn’t help
Life has been hard, it still is

As a friend she will have my
Unwavering support always
There is something about her
Something so very special
Those with eyes can see
One day she will realise these things
I am proud to be her friend
And proud of her as a father would be
I am sure the lady in the photograph
Will finally smile
All in good time