Photographs

Photographs

Children should be seen not heard so
On the couch they sit in a rigid line
The photographer captures the tableau.

They wrestle in private with grunts and groans
Girls pulling hair, whispering refined
Children should be seen and not heard, so.

Father’s eyes glazed as he walks in slow
Mother’s lips in a rigid line
The photographer captures the tableau.

Father to every request says no
Shouts orders and manners as they dine
Children should be seen not heard, just so.

Brother leaving, forever must go
Father shouting this house is mine
The photographer captures the tableau.

All through the years and ages ago
Should be forgotten yet still in the mind
Children should be seen not heard and so
The photographer captures the tableau.