He looked at her picture with that look of his
You know
The one that washes doubt of sincerity
The one that caresses its way into the heart
telling her it is ok to love
regardless of all the where’s and whys
Sending himself into her
holding her in that protective glow
Saying everything will be ok
because this love is true and will never fade

He looked at her picture with tears in his eyes
wanting so badly to see that look reflect back to him
missing being loved
Feeling without a doubt that he had some worth
because she loved him too
But a picture is only a picture
it does not reflect nor does it give certainty
that he is the lens
He can only suppose her eyes were seeing him
when the shutter snapped

He looked at her picture and felt alone
remembering when
he could actually see the model of the portrait
When they could discuss poetry, philosophy  and spirituality
or any other intellectual pursuits they chose to dabble in
Remembrance though, cannot stop the atrophy of his mind
the devastating results that come from being in a backwater town
Without
the slightest catalyst or stimulation
Without
her

He looked at her picture and regardless of it all
he still knew he loved her
and would
till his final breath denied him
of one last look