Old Photographs

I gaze into the smiling eyes staring
back at me through the fading surface
of the photograph, held at arm's length;

the familiar face betrays my own
lost emotions. A knowing glint radiates
from the stare of the old friend,

whose tender features are innocent
to the calloused palm scratching
my weathered cheek. The lost countenance helps

obscure old memories of joy still focused
on bright futures. The young eyes' glimmer
dims and I continue on to dwell
through darkened old photographs of me.