Sonnet, There You Are - A Photograph Poem by Peter S. Quinn

There you are standing still - in the picture,
Emotions so full of deep understanding;
The ligatures of black and white stricture,
Into each shadow and light commanding.
Rise and fall the rhythm of dark stain,
Everything seen from inside a contrast;
Not confusing of many colors in strain,
But the unknowingly lines from a past.
Slowly fading into the silent surrender,
Of the gasping words that are not spoken;
The soft thoroughness texture frail and tender,
The photograph of black and white broken.
A face unknown from past to look at me,
To give its smile gentle eyes and carefree.