Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPH, by AMOS RUSSEL WELLS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPH, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: They had photographs of baby
Last Line: Each declared it was a fright!
Subject(s): Photography & Photographers


They had photographs of baby
Crying, cooing, lost in dreams,
Pouting, too, although they say he
Doesn't know what temper means;

Photographs of baby smiling,
Baby "talking," baby dumb,
And the tedious time beguiling
With the sucking of his thumb;

Baby in his bath o'morning,
Baby in his crib at night,
Baby in a fit of scorning,
Baby in a fit of fright.

And his father and his mother,
Aunts and uncles and the rest,
Differed each one from the other
As to which of these was best.

Each one had his favorite "photo,"
"Just as good as good can be,"
While the rest declared it "so-so,"
Or "a perfect mockery."

In the midst of this contention,
Half in earnest, half in laugh,
Aunt Jerusha chanced to mention
A composite photograph.

"Just the thing!" cried all, delighted;
And at once they had it done,
All the photographs united
By the magic of the sun, --

All the different airs and graces,
Smiling, crowing, cross, sedate,
All the different baby faces
Photographed upon one plate.

But the picture? Ah, the din it
Raised at once, to left and right!
Each one's favorite face was in it, --
Each declared it was a fright!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net