who’s that face
smiling up from the photo album?
one I’ve not seen in a very long time
how did the change occur?
better yet why?
or was that toothy grin always an illusion?

he looks so happy
by all accounts was
at Christmases and birthday parties
delighted surprise wonderfully preserved
that very instant
the wrapping paper torn open

but as pages are turned
from baby to toddler
then prepubescent to adolescence
the smile grows steadily smaller
in recent photos forced
till all remains
a token gesture of the past

now when friends ask “How is he?”
I shrug and reply “Don’t know”
apart from the meds
leaving him silent
more dysfunctional than ever
the son I know and love
disappeared at age thirteen



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Revised © 2017, 2018
Photo © 1995 by author

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04/26/2017

Posted on 04/26/2017
Copyright © 2024 Chris Sorrenti