In Watermelon Sugar
© 1968 by Dell Publishing Company, NYC
cover photograph by Edmund Shea

The cover photo is of Richard and Hilda Hoffman. The back cover did not contain art work.

Your Image

I find myself
haunted
by your image

Picture of you at every stage
photo after photo
infant to adult
always sweetly smiling

Standing on a
wooden footbridge
the background provided
by Monet and his gardens
at Giverney

The background
seemingly arranged
as a frame
for your luminous beauty
for you alone

Another, laughing
in the orderly
multi-hued gardens
of Holland

Tulips, the fragrant crocus and
those harbingers of spring,
the bright yellow daffodils
taking their young spring glory
from your face
from your joy
from your youth

They would not be
as stunning
nor as fragrant
without your presence

These photos elicit smiles
bring forth laughter
memories of time passed
destinations visited

Yet the others beckon me
as well – the others
I wish had not been taken

Yet I find myself drawn to them

The life and luminosity
gone from your face

Your wonderful porcelain skin
is now obscured
replaced by heavy pancake

The sheen has departed
your long hair
hair that glinted gold
in the brillant
Provence sunlight

Your eyes are closed,
but not in peace

My right hand
clicks the mouse
again and again

I cannot bear these pictures
Yet neither can I ignore them

© 2006 DT (deb )

Gabby

Through a looking glass
With a quizzing gaze
She stares at me
Her camera eyes
And enchanting smile
Behind the reflection
Of a restaurant window
On a Woodstock road
To Bacon and eggs

Copyright © 2006 Cecil J. Krieger
image is the cover of Cecil’s forthcoming book