Metaphors in Black and White

Encircled by darkness, deep in contemplation,
and images begin to waltz their dance of wonder
moving inspiration through my mind.

I saw something once, it wasn’t clear then,
but I hold in my hand this negative impression
of someone I remembered smiling at me.

In a flash of slight illumination, a negative
is reversed when light transcends dark
and then, the metaphor is clear.

I saw something, it’s unmistakable -- I know,
and I hold in my hand this positive allusion
my capricious wishes had reversed.

That someone hadn’t smiled at me.
In the dark to light reversal, I can plainly see:
I’d taken a picture of you, slightly out of focus.

Carmen Ruggero .2003