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fuzzyred, ng_moonmoth, mama_kestrel, and janetmiles. This poem belongs to the Shiv thread of the Polychrome Heroics series.Warning: This poem touches on Shiv's difficult past and other issues with photographs.
"This Very Moment"
[Evening of Tuesday, October 6, 2015]
Tolli sat in his chair,
looking at an album
of family portraits.
He had precious few
of Shiv, and he was
grateful for every one.
There was a still of
Shiv's hand holding
a bismuth crystal
bright with rainbows,
and one of him in
his swordsman shirt.
There were a few photos
from the wedding -- one
of Hooks and Shiv with
only their feet visible,
another of them playing
pickup sticks that showed
his hands and a bit of chin.
Shiv had his reasons for
resisting photography, and
the Finns respected that.
It was just sad that they
couldn't capture all of
the moments they wished,
because he was changing
and growing so fast.
There were two new ones
from this week, though.
The first had come from
Heron with Shiv's permission,
in which Shiv stood angry and
defiant with an ace friend.
Heron had subsequently
grilled the QUILTBAG club
for their assorted offenses.
To Tolli, that picture not only
marked Shiv standing up for
himself and a friend, but one of
the rare times he had called
upon the family for help.
This evening, Shiv had
seen Simon taking pictures
of them metalworking and
issued a rare invitation
to show him as well.
Shiv looked a little tense
around the edges, but
still happy as he worked.
When asked about it,
Shiv had looked aside and
said that he didn't want
the only clear photo that
the family had of him
to be that one.
Shiv's offer was
a touching concession.
Tolli's fingers traced
the few precious images,
and beyond them, blank pages
waiting in hopeful anticipation
of a future yet to unfold.
Photography, alone of the arts,
seemed perfected to serve
the desire humans have for
a moment -- this very moment --
to stay with them forever.
It was Shiv's choice,
but Tolli believed
that one day, the boy
would choose to stand
with them and join
the family portraits.
Until then, Tolli
would be patient
and appreciate
what he had.
* * *
Notes:
"Photography, alone of the arts, seems perfected to serve the desire humans have for a moment -- this very moment -- to stay."
-- Sam Abell
"As Gatekeeper to Your Life" features the angry picture.
"In the Warm Circle of Family and Friends" describes the Christmas pictures.
"Dance in the Sun" has the wedding pictures from the introvert party.
Photography is important for capturing family scenes. It's okay that some people hate having their picture taken, and there are ways to convince others to avoid shooting them. Learn how to take family photos.