The Picture

It was in the little broken down projects
where the olive skinned children lived,
the brick structures riddled with modern
day hieroglyphs, grafitti in abundance,

and sparse climbing vines
here and there , that I found, preserved
from the shredded surroundings, the
smiling child with hair the color of the sun
coral barrette sitting lopsided on her head,

a small bandage on her knee, and I snapped
the picture quickly , capturing hope in still of frame.

WhiteRose 11/14/02