In the Center Of It All

off to the side
yet
you
are the subject

looking up
from making
a salad

slight smile
on your face
as if the photographer

were an
unexpected guest

on the other side
your husband
embraces me
my mother

with each arm

casual
confidant
of our bonds

I was newly
graduated
from high school

caught up
in beginnings
and endings

possibilities

there is no
fear
in my face

just pure
delight
joy

safety

celebration
of a moment
of place

because of you
at the center
of it all

your husband
in his moustache
phase

also free
of worry
taking a holiday

my mother
leans into him
laughing

younger
than I've
ever seen her

she
too
was free

riding
under the shelter
of home

because of you
at the center
of it all

behind you
your teenage
daughter

freshly woken
from late morning
slumber

dutifully
loading
the dishwasher

smiling
taken up
in whatever it was

that you
were saying
to my father, the cameraman

the one
who snapped
the picture

unposed
unplanned
uncontrolled

so
uncharacteristic
of him

a rare
act
of silliness

on his part

because of you
at the center
of it all

a moment
I carry
with me

a moment
of trust
of shelter

complete innocence
unawareness
of loss

just love
laughter
freedom

home

for all of us

with you
at the center
of it all

I hold
the picture
near me

an image
of when we
were young

before we
were broken
before

the shelter
that we
trusted

fell apart

when you were
suddenly
snatched

from the
center
of it all.