Still Life

Written for a photographer friend. On the ability of the camera to capture life.

Still Life

So picturesque serene the calm, enjoyed
by one - a traveler perhaps, armed
only with film and lens, disturbing none
around her eye. No fright here or alarm.
What pow'r resides with this artist lone!
Who else can seize a swath of life, condense
it down into a frame, compact the heart
into a gift - make a smile or amends.
Solitary silence stands, but still
so active and alive, cohesion of
the scene and soul, photographer and more -
the figure silhouettes, camera is enough.
Reality formed but twice within - how can
she do so much? A photograph, the awe
itself - who among can tell apart? She
forms a fleeting word of leave: she saw.