The Living Photograph by Jackie Kay
My small grandmother is tall there,
straight-back, white broderie anglaise shirt,
pleated skirt, flat shoes, grey bun,
a kind, old smile round her eyes.
Her big hand holds mine,
white hand in black hand.
Her sharp blue eyes look her own death in the eye.
It was true after all, that look.
My tall grandmother became small.
Her back round and hunched
Her soup forgot to boil.
She went to the awful place grandmother go
Somewhere unknown, unthinkable.
But there she is still,
In the photo with me at three,
The crinkled smile is still living, breathing.
