The Photograph

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My Oldest Aunts

Kathy Ryder Personal Collection

I walk in the clear waters of my childhood,

again curious to undo the strings

of the old clutch bag and live once more in

its endless line of pockets and photographs.

There in the midst of it, standing upright is

my three oldest aunts, all forehead banbeaus,

Long necklaces and Mary Jane shoes.

Mariah in the centre, arms around the

shoulders of Margaret and Tilly.

A paper image by McLoughlin’s Studio Westport 1923

for their mother to hold against her grieving,

while she awaited the arrival of airmail letters.

Kathy Ryder