this is my photograph of you.
A poem
He rolls his cigarette paper
and looks at me like he means it.
"No."
"Okay. I won't."
He doesn't want his picture to be taken,
it's fine.
I've engraved him in my heart already.
But loving a writer is worse than
loving a photographer—
for a man who doesn't want his picture to be taken.
For all I know, he's hidden on every page,
between every letter I carved with my pen.
This portrait might take longer to develop than a Polaroid,
but it won't fade with time.
And I can do it without him even noticing.
He can't object; no one else would know it,
which is probably why he just silently
blows the smoke out.
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Comments (14)
In the case of this poem a picture is not worth a thousand words! Nicely done!
There’s so much about this intimate portrait I loved. Blown away
Breath taking, I’m at a loss of words but i feel so developed like a photo, developed like a story and so part of it. Phenomenal work.
It won't fade, but it will probably morph somewhere between moments.
Whew! What a dynamic portrait you've painted in this! Phenomenal work, Imola!
Is it okay for me to fan girl just for a minute? Okay here I go. I don’t do exaggerations. This poem was outstanding. I love how you described writing a person, a lover into words as a form of portrait. Because it really is that. When we read, we see. Then the measure of how long, using a Polaroid as a method of measurement was clever. Then the sassiness of whether they want it to happen or not, matters not. Chefs kiss! Also, your words still linger after I read the last line. That to me is always a measure of talent. 👌🏽
This made me smile because I always take candid photos of the people I love, without their knowledge. Loved your poem!
Interesting poem. "I engraved him in my heart already" is a beautiful way to describe love. I never thought about love like that, but I've engraved so many people in my heart without realizing it. They will be there forever. And then, "...he just silently blows the smoke out." Outstanding!
I adore this little poem, Imola! Such a sweet way to depict how a writer can capture someone they love in words, likely without being aware of it. ♥️
We all have different perspectives of those around us it is up to us to see what really matters. Good job.
This photo isn't just of him...it's also of us. and self-love. Well done, Imola.
Felt it. Fantastic@Imola Tóth
This is brimming with love, almost to the point of obsession. The whole damn thing is sublime, Imola. But this bit stuck out to me more than any bit "For all I know he's hidden on every page, between every letter I carved with my pen. This portrait might take longer to develop than a Polaroid but it won't fade with time. " Love that! Well done!
The idea of capturing someone without their knowledge is interesting. I've had similar experiences trying to understand people in my own way.