PICTURE PERFECT
 

The trees of Marin County’s Notre Dame
Date back to Jesus.  Angela allows
A smile; her spouse reduces redwoods, limned
Within the lenses of his Hasselblad:
A perfect picture.  Angela can see
Another scene, a portrait in pastels.
Her lover adds both blush and shadow to
A figure sketched from life.  In each detail
Perfection glows with infidelity,
Affluence in wrinkled sheets enriched.
Shutter clicks: she smiles in memory
Of afternoons.
                         At home in Atherton
Her husband plies his putter.  Flawless lawns
Inspire a marked improvement in his game.

                        Howard Brown

Please email me if you want to contact the author.