Photographs

I know her from some photographs:
A medium which purports to tell
The truth.
That and her own words on which (I thrive).

Full face and frontal: intense.
In brooding black-and-white.
Clear eyes, green, as I have learned.

I know her from some photographs:
And yet in each picture she appears
Diff'rent.
Looking across time and space (at me?).

Russet ringlets frame her face.
Elegant. Ev'ning. Friends.
Smiling out from the screen frame.

I know her from some photographs:
Pictures she took herself of places
I've been.
Places that call me back East (to her).

Horse in the heart of the city.
Ragman's wagon--the tack
Reflected in scaffolding.

I know her from some photographs:
A laughing, happy girl among girl
Friends who
Share so much I cannot know (her past).

White sweat-shirted and giggling,
El-riding to Center
City, Philadelphia.

I know her from some photographs:
Sitting before me, desk-top lover.
Loving
Glances stolen minutes from (my day).

A woman-child, young and smart,
Soul-mate, life-mate? Perhaps.
Photographs may come to life.

I know only some photographs.
For now.