When sepia was a colour different from grey.
And camera wasn't less of a luxury.
Photographs taken at intervals predecided.
Visiting studios by appointment.
Developed in dark rooms on papers slimy.
No dark secrets to hide or unveil.
Measured smiles,
even a faint twinkle in the eyes managed.
Portrait of a happy family.
No divorces pending.
No heartbreaks delayed.
Framed in a moment
long-faded everywhere except on the wall
where the photo is hung, up high
where the past still stands still
deviously mocking the future
that has now become the present
unworthy of a gift
even to the time.
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