Two Photographs

It’s true then that you still overeat, fat friend,
and swell, and never take folk’s advice.  They laugh,
you just giggle and pay no attention.  Damn!
you don’t care, not you!

But once – that was before time had blunted your
desire for pretty frocks – slender girl – or is
the print cunningly faked? – arm in arm with your
fiancé you stood

and glared into the lens (slightly out of focus)
while that public eye scrutinised your shape,
afraid, the attitude shows, you might somehow
excite its dislike.

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