Family Photos

“nans, i went to both ladies
at target
you’re saving the photos to the
camera, not the card.”

“hm.”

mom adds her 2 cents.
“she can put the card
in her computer
and tell you more than they did.”

i dash away, beckon the internet -
oh look,
all 18 shining photos
i never wanted to see
hello, sister.

“it’s a close-up! doesn’t she look nice?”
no, she doesn’t.
she’s just a big-toothed stranger.
and there you are, dad,

smiling next to her like there’s no tomorrow.
but when you’re shoved into my vicinity,
the camera melts. you are plastic.

i wonder what someone would say
if they ever tied us down long enough
to see our family photo.